Politics Played by Ear

A whole nation in a 60 EUR/day financial captivity and a whole country on a fast-pace track into the unknown. The Captain of the ship in a state of heavy political vertigo has decided to hold a referendum on July 5, 2015, in an attempt to divert political responsibilities to the peoples of Greece. A "drama" in progress and no one is really in a position to predict what will happen next. A year ago this scenario would still classify as a science fiction story and no one would believe that this could eventually be a "cut" from the Greek reality, as it unfolds since last Friday. Capital Controls and Banking Holidays in a country-member of the European Union? So much for Free Movement of Capital. And you don't even need to break the laws anymore to have them broken. Reality is taking care of that for you and the invisible yet omnipresent pressure from Brussels and Frankfurt.

But how could things really come this far? The SYRIZA government must have clearly failed to familiarise itself with the concept of time, because it was no secret and in the public domain for the longest time now, that the rescue plan would expire on June 30th, 2015. This really comes down to poor time-management some would say. To bring it down to one denominator, Mr. Klaus Regling, the CEO of the EFSF told during a political debate on German Television last Sunday, that the problem of SYRIZA is not so much the fact that they disagree with various elements of the deal that was negotiated until last Friday itself, when they abruptly decided to end negotiations with the European Partners, as it is the fundamental objective to change Europe's Financial Model altogether. This brings Greece in frontal collision probably with Europe's financial design for the future as she essentially doubts the fundamental rules and the governance of Brussels as it has evolved in the last three decades. And while some may argue in favour of this approach, and throw terms like "equality" and "democracy" into the debate, they better understand also that such a political rhetoric is no longer reconcilable with the vocabulary of liberalism and the rules of free market economy. Europe has turned page in this respect, and any conversation about the past has only historic value and not a practical one. It is in fact the inability of SYRIZA to attend the negotiations by using contemporary language, structured arguments, which as a minimum insinuate the existence of a comprehensive plan, as well as an agenda that is coherent with a realistic toolkit of possibilities and not a random and continuous impression of shooting from the hip hoping that no one will call the bluff.

Agreed, the banner used at the outset by this Government was the hope to create a Pan-European wave and front against the austerity imposed by Germany or whomever else. This objective noble as it was, was suppressed and combated rather quickly by Brussels, who in an own attempt to defend itself maybe went over board and was tapping on borderline democratic values. But with the option available to avoid physical war and limit the dispute between Greece and its European partners to the effects of a physical war, people in Greece need to appreciate that no blood was shed. And though it is a fact that people have committed suicide in the course of the last five years, businesses have shut down and pensions were significantly cut, people should also never lose sight of the fact that most of these things happened because Governments wanted to hold on to their clientele, Governments refused to accept reforms and left the public sector untouched, and Governments chose to re-employ and re-grow a public sector that is only possible so long as the private sector picks up the bill. Now with killing the private sector of course the foundations of the public sector are threatened. Therefore, it is even more surprising to see that this Government -allegedly pure and uncorrupted - some of the instrumental characteristics that lead to their election five months ago in the first place, has spared no efforts to maximise the "don'ts" of previous Governments, has redefined the meaning of nepotism and has spent enormous efforts and energy to redirect -not eliminate- the political clientele.

And now, the referendum. An "ultimum refugium" to the people's will. An absurdity and contradiction in terms. A Government elected only five months ago with the mandate to keep the country's European orientation in tact, has destroyed all it could destroy and made all it could make to jeopardise that very mandate. One slob after the other, either in the form of a sudden agenda change, or in the form of flirts with the enemies of your friends. Confusing language, provocative arrogance and counter-productive attitude wherever possible. Internally, advertising the battle against evil and all conspiracy theories of the world into one play and in force to take over the country. Externally, exposing the image of this country and diluting its European course of the last thirty-five years. Downgraded by all institutions and all counterparts to level "Rebel C-" of Europe, an uneasy partner to talk to and an unpredictable one, as well. With 18 parties against you and no one in your favour you keep provoking, as if you were the lender and not the beggar. Europe totally dismantled by your logic and incapable of keeping pace with your mental insanity is fighting hard not to give up on you and let you go to hell and yet you think you can set the tone. A Government represented by the most arrogant, the most out-fashioned and the most uneducated, with a load of inferioriry compexions that has accumulated over the last few decades. Dangerous politically and socially. Cowardly and sneaky at the same time. They have cornered themselves and the country. They have been playing this game by ear since January 26, 2015. And now we are approaching the showdown. And this stage requires political balls. Or a referendum, if you think that your people are stupid enough to absolve you from your political responsibilities. History has tought that in moments like these a helicopter may also prove useful.