A bankrupt model?
The current dispute between government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos and New Democracy’s Central Committee secretary Evangelos Meimerakis is useful in view of the «recommended» relationship between government and party – something that should be determined at the start of any government term. All evidence points to the fact that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has done anything but adopt the «party model» promoted by PASOK over the 30 years of its existence, and which ND attempted to mimic in the past (notably under the leadership of Evangelos Averoff). This model was based upon the organization of a comprehensive network covering all social groups across the country. Naturally, it was dependent on a broader popular foundation and on a political identity which was not just distinct but in direct opposition to the Right. And this foundation had no shortage of passion for power. When PASOK overthrew the long-lived right-wing regime in 1981, it established itself as the government and as the State after its goal to attain power became transformed into an establishment mentality. In view of this, PASOK’s defeat last March represents the bankruptcy of the party model it had created and maintained for 30 years. Indeed, ND achieved a victory against a party built upon an all-powerful and absolute system where State and government were indistinguishable from one another…
