G20
Mr.
Papandreou was invited to G20 to discuss his latest gamble. If it was chess,
then Mr. Papndreou’s latest gambit does not just offer to sacrifice the Queen
but the whole tournament. This is a crucial meeting for Europe’s future. If Sarkozy
and Merkel go along with him then they would need to support him and Greece.
They would further need to stop Elastoplasting and get down to the real issues
of the EU, like the fiscal union, democracy and accountability. This is the
time. If they fail to do so then other countries may question the wisdom of
being in such a union. Even Mr. Cameron should be feeling the tremors of such a
referendum earthquake.
So
watch out for the statement after Papandreou meets Sarkozy and Merkel. It is of
crucial importance. Our guess is that with Italy on the ropes, they would need
to support Greece’s decision and keep their rage for later.
In
this respect Greece has become the strongest link in Europe. Greece is forcing
the EU leaders to take their jobs and responsibilities seriously and to stop playing
around with EFSF leverage, gimmicks or dreams of Chinese rescues.
European Democracy?
There
is no question that most European politicians were surprised by Mr. Papandreou
referendum decision. With one stroke the Greek PM brought back the Greek
problem at the forefront, but this time in the context of democracy in Europe.
It is not a secret that the EU along with money deficits has also a huge
democratic deficit. The only elected body, the Euro-Parliament has little
influence over events. One wonders why Europeans still accept the cost of these
impotent parliamentarians. The commission is appointed and not elected while
the European council is dominated by Germany and France which effectively take decisions
for the other countries. The so called President of Europe Mr. Van Rompuy was
voted by 27 out of the 400million eligible voters. Sarkozy muttered that much recently, when he
questioned the wisdom of deciding the fate of Greece.
If
Europe is to have a future then EU politicians should start addressing some of
these issues seriously. Sweeping under the carpet is an option that is fast disappearing.
Background on Greek Politics
Greece
joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in March 1981 on the insistence and
perseverance of the then PM Mr. K.Karamanlis. His main opposition was Prof.
Andreas Papandreou who campaigned fiercely on an anti EEC and an anti NATO
platform together with the all the left and communist parties. He promised to
take Greece out of both as soon as he was elected. The Greek people believed
him and more than half were truly against this capitalist monopolistic blood
sucking Europeans that had one think in mind, “to corrupt the Greek way of life”,
to acquire “The priceless Greek assets” and other equally imaginary reasons.
Despite the high stature of Mr. Karamanlis, his political instinct told him NOT
to do a referendum on the issue as he truly believed that the people would vote
against it. The demagogue A.Papandreou played his cards right knowing that
Karamanlis would not bet the country’s future. He was thus free to be as
anti-European as possible knowing that once winning the election (Oct 1981) he
could procrastinate any decision long enough to bribe the people’s memories
with EU subsidies.
Incidentally,
the current PM is the son of A.Papandreou and the previous Mr. K.Karamanlis is
the nephew of the then K.Karamanlis. You would be forgiven to think that Greece
is not a true democracy but rather a strange mix of Hereditary Democracy and byzantine
politics. With few exceptions, that prove the point, political life in Greece has
for the past 70 years been dominated by 2-3 families. This is the remnant of
the patriarchal society and the cause of much of the corruption and nepotism
faithful to the best tradition of the ancient Greek house of Atreus.
Now,
Mr. George Papandreou is trying the same political blackmail to the
conservative leader Mr. Samaras. He knows very well that the conservative party
and its voters are very pro-EU. In fact, it is the government’s party
supporters (PASOK) which have EU reservations, especially those on the left of
PASOK (A mixture or national-socialists, communist revisionists and
pseudo-intellectuals). Thus with one stroke he can force the conservatives to
vote YES and simultaneously possibly split the conservatives if their leader
decides to vote NO. If the people vote YES then he has not only gained time but
possibly a better deal for Greece and the future of Europe. This may reverse
and even propel his reputation to a stratospheric status in Greece and in
Europe. The alternative of course, a NO decision, would make his father’s reckless
promise come true. Greece would then sail in very dangerous and uncharted
waters.
