New mentality
There are growing indications that the political earthquake from the outcome of the French presidential elections, which has sent shock waves throughout Europe, has scarcely affected Greece’s political elite. National parties have reacted with an attempt to adapt this devastating event to their current policy needs. The results have been tragicomic. The reaction by PASOK’s reformists has prompted ironic remarks, if not indignation, as they have attempted to build an anti-rightist front, exposing the alleged «family resemblances» between Le Pen’s party and Costas Karamanlis’s conservatives. Some true-blue socialists are obviously trying to justify their existence and map out Greece’s future on the basis of a sad anti-fascist caricature reminiscent of the 1930s. The in-party opposition is equally sad, as all they seem to understand is that French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin resigned after his defeat, making them hope that Simitis will imitate Jospin if he is defeated in the coming municipal elections. The position of the New Democracy opposition, according to which the sole cause for the far right’s rise throughout Europe is the administrative inadequacy of social-democratic governments (meaning that the problem would just disappear should the conservatives come to power), is also sorely lacking. It is pointless, of course, to comment on the fantasies nourished by several conservative circles – both within and outside ND – who wish to play the role of a local Le Pen. The stance of Greece’s politicians is cause for concern. They do not seem to realize that there is growing public disaffection with the the manner in which they exercise their duties. Citizens see no concrete action; all they hear is empty promises. They are the mere spectators of a theatrical exchange of accusations between corrupt politicians – a play which is aimed at television-based consumption. Unless our representatives realize soon that they must radically change their political mentality, we may all find ourselves with some very nasty surprises. As the French case demonstrated, transformations of the political landscape can be quick and unexpected.
