A self-fulfilling prophecy
Governments don’t usually give hints of plans to hold early elections. But rumors of impending polls often act as self-fulfilling prophecy. Voters see politicians running to win their favor instead of taking care of business. Then public administration stops working, problems pile up and the country is then nevertheless forced to go to the polls to get it out of its quagmire. This is not mere hypothetical talk. Many conservative government ministers and deputies have already been heard talking about the coming election battle. Too bad Greece is not Italy, where the civil service continues to work smoothly despite the absence of a stable elected government. Given the outstanding structural problems that weigh on Greece, this country cannot afford a lengthy pre-election period. The economy and the Greek civil service need vigilant management, which any extended talk about early elections is bound to harm. Perhaps political parties care most about the election day. But the country needs many things, and this is speeding up the timetable for reforms. These reforms should take place regardless of when we go to the polls.
