Paralyzed memory
… Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos is preparing the way for his return to what he once dismissed as an «aging political scene» and to New Democracy – meaning, the party which has «come full circle,» according to the mayor’s still resounding diagnosis. Should we assume, then, that his return – the return of a politician who excelled at inconsistency – will put wind into the sails of the conservative opposition and bring it nearer to power? According to the rigid principles that should pervade politics, the comeback of a spectacularly nullified politician should not be treated as a significant return. However, political history is full of similar events in which politicians, once fired or who intentionally withdrew, returned to the party fold and, under a general amnesty, didn’t have to suffer the torments of lesser mortals who found it less easy to make peace with their former enemies. Until recently, for example, ND had criticized Avramopoulos for his divergent undertaking. ND Deputy Ioannis Varvitsiotis recently criticized Avramopoulos, saying that all of his projects for the capital were superficial. And, when it seemed possible that his party could undermine ND’s power, conservative municipal councilors all suddenly remembered their duty to monitor the mayor – and made many remarks meant to scandalize. But this will all be forgotten, as the desire for power has the power to paralyze memory and judgment…
