Parties go to war
The pre-election showdown between the government and the opposition party leaves very little room for politics. In both camps, the most pressing concern is how best to design a system with which to influence public opinion and ensure that each party is in a privileged position when it comes to the polls. Those in charge of public relations for each side amass the necessary statistics which will enable them to create the propaganda that will best project their own virtues, and the shortcomings of the other side. On the front line, the leaders of the two major parties will try to convince as many of those yet to be swayed by the positive or negative aspects of either party that their party offers a better future for Greece’s economy and society. The bad thing for the country is that this merciless public relations battle is likely to last six whole months. Over this period of time, the political leaderships will consider the best and most appropriate policy to boost their image and the aims of its pre-election agenda. Meanwhile, of course, it will avoid dealing with the real picture of Greece’s society and economy. Indeed, the main thing stressed by Prime Minister and PASOK Chairman Costas Simitis last weekend in Thessaloniki was his great satisfaction with the government’s performance up until now and the benefits the country has enjoyed over the course of his term as prime minister.
