The threat of populism
The ranks of New Democracy and PASOK continue to harbor elements that are outdated and extremely populist, and they are bent on pushing the prime minister and the government to disaster.
Their aim is to ensure that no structural reforms go through in order to undermine the efforts of the handful of politicians who, against the odds, are trying to leave a real legacy.
The positions of these party cadres are more akin to those of leftist opposition SYRIZA. Meanwhile, in most cases these are politicians who have left a long trail of political favors, self-interested measures and waste behind them from whatever position they may have served.
PASOK’s old guard and New Democracy’s populist element have in the past used the threat of political cost to kill significant reforms such as changes to the social security system or efforts to rationalize public finances. If they succeed this time as well, the consequences will be nothing short of devastating.
