There’s only one way to go forward
The worth of a political leader is determined by his reaction to a major crisis. Greece has been embroiled in a deep crisis for more than a week. Regrettably, the premier has forgotten much of what he promised back in 2004. Costas Karamanlis did not re-establish what was a bankrupt state; he did not fill his administration with qualified professionals nor did he introduce the requisite reforms to the economy, education and health sectors. Now we are all paying the price of years of accumulated errors and the premier’s own foot-dragging. That said, Karamanlis still enjoys a public mandate and our democracy still runs according to specific rules. The premier is faced with a dilemma: He must either use all his decisiveness and determination to recruit the best officials from the state, government and society or he must look for a deus ex machina. There is no room for compromise: When faced with so many challenges, one could be tempted to point a finger at demons and conspiracies. But it takes a lot more courage to step down when the people ask you to do so having the knowledge that at least you gave everything you had.
