Everything points to a very difficult winter ahead for Greece, as further reductions in household incomes, skyrocketing unemployment and a new wave of taxation will test society’s patience.

The Greek people have shown a great deal of maturity in the face of the effects of the crisis. But tolerance has a limit, and the most urgent step right now is to create a safety net for those who have been hit by the crisis the hardest with the participation of the state but also through civil society initiatives. Everyone has a responsibility to help the weakest members of our society -– even more so those who are in a position to do so. The next step must be a plan for generating jobs for the country’s young people, and this too must be formulated by society and the political leadership.

It is humiliating to have to invoke the troika over every reform we ought to be making ourselves. This is our country, and we should be the ones to instigate the change.