Opinion polls clearly illustrate public anger toward Greek politicians. But whether we like it or not, the country is at a crucial crossroads and needs a strong hand at the wheel to govern it.

Lucas Papademos’s interim government made a good deal of progress and steered the country away from a disorderly default. But the days ahead require a strong government and national consensus.

The best-case scenario would be a pro-Europe majority giving the next government the power that it will need to negotiate with our creditors and push through the necessary reforms and spending cuts.

The large majority of Greeks, however, have said that they plan to punish the country’s politicians at the elections. This makes perfect sense, especially as the main parties have failed to bring in any new blood or voice any fresh ideas or plans.

That moment in front of the ballot box, though, needs to be one of reflection and responsibility, and this period before the elections is the last chance for the big political parties to prove that something has changed in the way they operate.