Everyone must get on board
The government has made a commitment to its lenders and its European partners that it will implement an ambitious program of structural changes and reforms. In most areas, what that boils down to is straightening out problems within the state apparatus and the unmerited privileges that have accumulated with successive administrations. Putting the program into effect will provoke the reaction of many different groups but if the government yields to even one, it will lose all credibility with the others. On a practical level, this means that every minister, their staff and high-ranking state officials must take control of the reins and impose the reforms. If they choose to undermine the government’s efforts or take the path of least resistance, Greece will end up bankrupt. However, the responsibility for implementation lies ultimately with the prime minister and he must be prepared to oust the first minister who chooses to act in his or her own interest alone.
