Samaras needs to reinvent ND
This newspaper has often said that the country needs a good opposition as much as a good government. To be sure, the Socialist administration of George Papandreou deserves criticism for being late in taking key measures and decisions, as well as for the appointment of unskilled staff to key posts. That said, the conservative opposition of New Democracy has also failed to live up to expectations. Until now, the party of Antonis Samaras has avoided taking clear stands on crucial issues. At the same time, conservative officials can often be seen participating in a sit-in demonstration at a state-owned building or blocking traffic in the center of Athens. Moreover, New Democracy has decided to place its faith, once again, in cadres who have populist tendencies or who have proven to be ineffective in previous years. In order to succeed, Samaras, who was elected to the helm of ND last November, will have to reinvent the conservative party and take a serious stand on the big issues plaguing the nation.
