It’s a curious thing that even at this crucial moment, when the future of the country hangs in the balance, its political class cannot clearly “read” our creditors’ stance and intentions. Do they do not understand that the troika’s hard stance is dictated by the International Monetary Fund and the European power centers?

By Aggelos Stagos

The three political leaders backing the coalition government of Lucas Papademos were under the impression that they could escape the troika’s unrelenting pressure, that they could impose their own terms in the issue of supplementary pensions, that this last outstanding issue could wait for 15 days more and that Finance Minister Venizelos could go to the Eurogroup as though the agreement had been concluded.

As Scheauble had announced in advance, the Eurogroup did not ratify the Greek agreement with the troika because it demands that it be put on paper where the €300 million will come from for supplementary pensions not to be cut further, that the deal be voted through by the Greek Parliament and that it is accompanied by written commitments by the political leaders that they will implement it, before and after the coming elections.

The signing of the agreement, however, worked as the firing shot for the pre-election campaign for Samaras, leader of the conservative New Democracy party. Nevertheless, New Democracy and PASOK deputies did receive the message to leave bravados aside and vote for the agreement, or the country will have to declare bankruptcy.

On the other hand, sentiment against the harsh terms of the borrowers prevails in Greece and one hears unbelievable condemnations and cursing. The parties of the Left and people are on the front line. Samaras himself felt the need to address the nation, but he was really speaking to his own supporters who are accusing him of betraying his previous stand, even though this was the first time he displayed a relatively responsible attitude in the face of the ruthless reality. And ruthless reality says that the measures are particularly painful, that large numbers of Greeks are violently getting poorer and that unemployment has reached a staggering 20.9%, but is also says that if the country goes bankrupt and returns to the drachma things will get much, much worse!