Greek Politics

It would be wrong if, due to its rise in the polls, PASOK forgets the difficulty of the task that it has undertaken. The party must prove that it can stand firmly in the centre of the political spectrum.

The broad approval of the government in public opinion is accompanied by a notably high percentage of citizens – 73.2 percent - who are negative about SYRIZA’s opposition tactics.

Hegemony over the political centre will be decided not on the basis of who can best humour the political centre, but rather on the basis of who appears more mature and trustworthy in addressing it.

The role of the main opposition party is obviously to check the government. But it bears a much greater weight if the party has adopted a mature stance on the political stage, has conducted a dialogue with society, and has recognised its own errors.

The country is being tested as is Greek society with major crises such as the concomitant public health and economic crises.

It would be well if on national issues political forces exhibit the concord, prudence, and maturity which were absent in their handling of the economy.

Beyond recording citizens’ trust in the PM, the data show that citizens approve of some of his’ policies which until recently stirred intense ideological skirmishes.

Exercising the role of the opposition in a constructive manner and maintaining a civilised level of political dialogue is one thing and engaging in a sterile opposition that aims at social unrest is quite another.

Those parties which were condemned by the government as constituting the “old” political system left their old bad habits behind, and the “new regime” copied all those habits in a bid to ensure its political survival.