Responsibility lies with the PM
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras received a clear mandate from the people: to hold tough negotiations with the country’s creditors and partners, to speed up the return to growth and to ensure that Greece remains in the euro area.
The popular vote did not reward those who want a rift with the eurozone and/or a return to the drachma, nor did it go to those who believe Europe needs a revolution.
The problem is that the leftist-led government is deeply divided. Tsipras knew this and did nothing to rectify it before the elections. Now it is impossible for him to achieve a realistic compromise with the eurozone because this would go against the wishes of numerous key officials in his party.
The country should not be allowed to collapse because the premier cannot exert his authority over those championing a Greek euro exit. He has to either impose a course for his party or seek the alliances and consensus needed to keep Greece in the euro elsewhere.
