The Best of GRReporter
flag_bg flag_gr flag_gb

Lucas Papademos warns about backstage party games

24 December 2011 / 13:12:08  GRReporter
2769 reads

When Lucas Papademos became Prime Minister of Greece, he had a clear contract, but he was also faced with the experiment of coexisting with three different parties in an extremely difficult political and economic situation.

On 11 November, the day Papademos’ government was sworn in, until today PASOK, New Democracy and LAOS have been trying to prove that they have surpassed themselves, while their actions, however, always have an election campaign as their background, because they believe that elections will soon come.

George Papandreou might be stressing at every opportunity that he himself and his party "have sworn” to support the government of Papademos, but reality shows that neither PASOK nor New Democracy or LAOS have turned their backs on the narrow party interests.

Papademos, however, seems to be determined to clarify his position and has asked the leaders of the three parties to proceed to a new agreement and to increase efforts in achieving some key objectives - the survival of the country and its membership in the Eurozone.

Clashes

The Prime Minister has begun a new round of meetings with political parties leaders, because the continued talks about elections during the past two weeks have caused uncertainty among the public opinion. The mandate and the actions of the government were questioned, and meetings of the Council of Ministers were starting with skirmishes and continuing with violent clashes and exchange of sharp lines.

"I do not want ministers or parties to lose their "identity", but I am determined to do everything necessary to run the government. "Amateur performances" and "little games" must stop and we must all do our jobs. There is no room for error and unjustified delays ", says the serious statement of the Prime Minister.

It is perfectly clear that the "key" to the smooth operation of the government is to clarify the question of the duration of its mandate and the obligations it has assumed. It is also a fact that the mandate should be adapted in order to follow the course of the work: for example, the issue with the PSI—the debt cut—should not be left open, when the government decides to close parliament for vacation, because the national interest is in danger.

Finally, can parties communicate with each other honestly? Perhaps what is crucial in politics is not only to speak honestly, but to act under the pressure of circumstances when it is necessary. "National interest requires us to cooperate", pointedly said a few days ago the government spokesman Pandelis Kapsis.

"Red Line"

The "Red line", set by the Prime Minister, and which should not be crossed, now refers to the enacted legislation, such as the medium term plan and all plans agreed upon during the summit of 26 October. There is no room for debates when it comes to them or any other new measures: the party leaders have agreed to these laws when signing the agreement in the presidency.

Meeting with George Papandreou

After the Christmas holidays Lucas Papademos will meet once again with former Prime Minister and PASOK leader George Papandreou. Recently they held a tete-a-tete meeting, which lasted more than an hour, before Papademos began the new round of meetings with the party leaders. It is certain that Papandreou will give the green light to extend the mandate of the government and to changes in its composition, if necessary.

Tags: Lucas Papademos George Papandreou Greece Eurozone government
SUPPORT US!
GRReporter’s content is brought to you for free 7 days a week by a team of highly professional journalists, translators, photographers, operators, software developers, designers. If you like and follow our work, consider whether you could support us financially with an amount at your choice.
Subscription
You can support us only once as well.
blog comments powered by Disqus