Vindication, revenge and responsibility

Even if we lived in a fishbowl, the turbulence in our political scene would be important. New Democracy finally rid itself of a former prime minister who was continually seeking attention by playing the popular roles of embittered messiah and compulsive Cassandra.

SYRIZA abdicated the role of official opposition by splitting continually in its search for leadership and a policy. PASOK emerged stronger from its own leadership election and is winning back some of the strength that it lost when its support plunged from 44 percent in 2009 to 4.68% in 2015. SYRIZA and PASOK have changed places and percentages, the government is dealing with ever greater fatigue and voter discontent, offering hope to smaller parties for a greater influence.

Normally, there would be sufficient time until the next elections for this ferment to lead to new dynamics and new balances which might avert the danger of the political scene’s fragmentation. But Greece has to deal with the great disturbance playing out internationally at dizzying speed and with unpredictable consequences. Whatever happens in the United States, in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Europe, will affect domestic developments and our place in the world. The Trump Restoration will disrupt much that we know, without anyone able to predict whether this will lead to a new sort of balance or whether things will spiral out of control.

Europe is frozen in midstep, as its leading powers, Germany and France, turn inwards to deal with domestic turbulence. Greece’s political leadership must deal with an exceptionally fluid situation without standing on stable ground. This responsibility has seldom made an impression on those who consider themselves protagonists of our public life, as the traditional priority is personal vindication and revenge. They speak on behalf of Greece while they serve their own interests.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government is our only choice today. It remains to be seen whether it is good enough to deal with the situation. We shall also see how the various political forces develop in coming months. The government needs a credible opposition and tireless, constructive self-criticism. This is where the “elders” of public life ought to contribute, not in the pursuit of new supporters with outdated theatrical outbursts.