By Nikos Konstandaras

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis’s speech to his party’s central committee yesterday was like a rallying cry to a disheartened army whose generals were squabbling in the middle of the desert.

Karamanlis took matters into his own hands: He tried to give his troops a shot in the arm, to get his officers to assume their responsibilities and let the enemy know he is not about to surrender.

He drew a line in the dust and proclaimed: “There is no dilemma. I say ‘No’ to the chipping away of this government. ‘No’ to its undermining. To those who have other plans, face me head on: Topple this government!”

It was a powerful performance – classic Karamanlis, confidently stating he would brook no opposition.

He spoke with the knowledge that his authority is being questioned as never before in the five years of his stewardship. Many of his cadres are accusing him of not being brave enough, of inaction in handling hot issues and scandals before they turned into crises.

Karamanlis is fully aware of that – just as he is aware that he has no rival within his party. In other words, his rallying cry was not for the immediate goal of ensuring his own survival as party leader. The big question is whether the government, a year after renewing its mandate, will be able to govern effectively. That is why Karamanlis did not rule out changes to policies and personalities, but added, “These decisions should not be dictated by political expediencies or as a publicity stunt.”

So that everyone remembered why the New Democracy party was elected, Karamanlis set out the country’s problems on the domestic front and abroad, as well as his government’s policies and goals.

What he didn’t say, or need to say, is that the real enemy is neither in-party squabbling nor the opposition. The problem is that his policies are insufficient and his army not capable of leading the country to victory.