Politics beyond Repair

Babel unfolding in majestic dimensions or "de"structive ambiguity once more? Different language used by the Government in its negotiations in Europe, different version of the same facts presented for internal political consumption, and a third conflicting version of language used by the representatives of the Greek government among themselves. At the centre of it there is escalating tension, as the time for various things to happen is running out, but more importantly so is the money. A next instalment to the IMF is due on April 8, the government has indicated that it might default on it as it will make priority payments of salaries and pensions. Europe and the IMF are shocked by this statement, and they are firming up their stance against Greece stating that further cash will only be provided once the reform agenda has been approved.

At the same time the next Eurogroup meeting to decide on it has been set for April 24 with all in-between meetings producing very little or no outcome at all. Greece is really very badly cornererd and our partners know it. They actively work to that effect. They are teaching the rebels from Athens a big lesson in obedience. And what everyone should have understood by now is that the rebels are not very experienced in playing this power game, as everyone should understand that they are trying to defy the position and domestic perception that they are about to become the barking dog that does not bite. Because this dog bites. What makes an unexperienced government unpredictable and possibly dangerous is putting it under pressure. Whether what Europe is doing to Greece these days is intentional or not will be for the historian of the future to assess. Whether Europe wants Greece out of the Eurozone there is little doubt left in the minds of almost every Joe.

When we were children we knew that the same educational methods to get reprimanded never had the same effect among peers. We all acted and reacted differently to the different individual impulses we felt. This is no different in our adult lives. On the assumption that Greece is the greenhorn in politics at the present moment and the rest of Europe the professionals, then I must openly admit that someone is not handling the situation properly and if I were to accuse a party then I would point my finger towards the direction of the expert.

You push someone to the edge but yet you expect them to react in prudence? Seriously, how many of us are able to do that? It seems that real politics has very little in common with blockbuster heroes and in this game all players are simple human beings with all their faults and weaknesses. In despair, and agreed, in an obviously very politically clumsy way, the PM is trying to play his hand of cards as best he knows. I read that Germans and Europeans are shocked at the fact that Greece is not demonstrating the expected loyalty and is now flirting with Russia to find a way out. Isn't it in fact the effect that Europe is pursuing with Greece since January 25, all along? Or is Europe seriously believing that they will be able to kick Greece out of the Eurozone but keep it within they EU influence? I read at the Spiegel today that the PM is playing the EU-Russia embargo card as a final piece of leverage to get what he wants.

I know that the Institutions were all well intended at the outset of the crisis back in 2009 when they took over the financial administration of the country. But is good intention relieving you from your performance obligation? Is it "card blanc" to utilise an entire country for the verification of financial theories with no accountability whatsoever? What Tsipras is asking is time to fix things in a manner that won't destroy everyone and everything before he gets there. What Europe wants are lists and commitments on paper. Europe continues to treat Greece like an outcast and demands blindly for more sacrifice. Europe has embarked on this quest to humiliate Greece and Greece is resisting this quest with the most panicky reaction. Yet, this panic is not totally blind and originates from a minimum sense of responsibility that the government feels against its people. Who is to bear the brunt for this child on the loose?