Premier’s speech has set the bar
During his address to New Democracy’s central committee yesterday, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis drew clear restrictions and outlined clear objectives. He set limits on those who like to portray his administration as one that is falling apart at the seams. He also laid out clear objectives for specific areas, such as privatizing Olympic Airlines, abolishing closed-shop professions, curbing the waste of public funds etc. His speech rallied the party and gave rise to some expectations of a reshuffle in the near future. It is clear that Karamanlis got the message from recent public opinion polls that showed the dissatisfaction of Greek citizens. The question is, however, to what extent the determination he displayed yesterday will translate into tangible action. The goals outlined by the prime minister were clear and ambitious. Their success or failure is now a personal matter and therefore there is no room for foot-dragging on bringing about results or for wavering when it comes to choosing the right people to do the job.
