Worrying signs
For better or for worse, Greece’s pro-European parties have come together to wage the struggle of keeping the country within the euro area. In light of the persistent debt crisis, there is no room for personal ambition, shortsighted political calculations or any similarly counterproductive behavior that could drive the country into further peril.
And yet, even at this crucial hour, such worrying signs abound. First of all, there are all these government officials who insist on staring at the world from a singular, fixed perspective.
Some are trying to appease others by not implementing unpopular government decisions. Other officials, meanwhile, fail to consult with fellow ministries and chose to go it alone – whether it’s in the area of privatizations or the evaluation of civil servants.
But all this will get us nowhere. If this country is to get back on its feet, we are going to need better coordination. Also we will need greater unity and stronger dedication to common goals.
A second disquieting phenomenon is tension and skirmishing within the country’s power-sharing coalition. This is not a time to argue over who did what in years past. Nor is it time to attack a member of the conservative-led administration because he is a technocrat or because he comes from a different party.
Such arguments should normally be too unimportant to warrant political energy and attention at this crucial hour. Furthermore, they should definitely not be allowed to become a concern to the citizens who no doubt welcome stability but who, six years into the recession, are desperate to finally see some improvement in their own economic situation.
We are living in historic times. And they demand that we all show great responsibility – a quality that was sorely missing within the Greek political class as this nation verged toward bankruptcy.
