OPINION

Mixed signals

A decision from Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is long overdue. Caught up in the internal contradictions and disagreements of his leftist SYRIZA party, Tsipras has been unable to make a clear, make-or-break decision.

On one hand, government officials are constantly cultivating a climate of optimism that they are close to a deal with Greece’s partners. On the other, several officials – and even SYRIZA posters in fact – make statements that condone a rift.

All this could be the latest reincarnation of the tried-and-tested strategy employed by late PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou: saying one thing to foreign governments and another to the party folk and the people. Or it could be that the growing dissent reflects an inability to deal with an extremely delicate situation.

Tsipras knows that if he decides to hammer out a deal and an honest compromise, he will find allies in society and Parliament. For the time being he has his feet in two different boats, while the situation is spinning out of control for the country.

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