Tsipras’s fatal mistakes
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras made three major mistakes. He rushed to come to power. He was blinded by the allure of power and ended up falling into a pit full of snakes. If he had been a little more patient, that would have been much better for him, his country and – most importantly – for the beleaguered citizens that voted for him.
If Tsipras became prime minister this September, rather than in January, he would have inherited a country in good running order that would have got through its most difficult challenge, which is the one the SYRIZA leader is facing now.
His second mistake was his absolute lack of any plan and the absence of a serious technocratic team that could handle crucial issues. Where in heaven’s name did he think he was going? Geopolitical threats, game theories, defaults, closed banks and, above all, a plan B need adequate planning and serious people.
His third fatal mistake was that he made enemies of everyone, burned bridges and did not create any serious alliances.
Now, though, we have reached a complete dead-end. Regardless of what will happen today or tomorrow, it is clear that the prime minister dug himself into a deep hole. He dragged his country down with him.
We are living through a significant moment in the country’s history. I think they can easily be compared with the summer of 1974 or other turbulent periods for Greece. Tsipras and his team cannot get out of this mess on their own. They are unprepared, inexperienced and deeply divided.
If they choose to, they could take the country out of the European Union, which would suit a number of SYRIZA officials. This country has traveled too far over the last 40 years to now tread such Third World paths. The prime minister has realized that he’s trapped and that the decision to hold a referendum was a gamble that went wrong. Over the last few days, older Greeks saw scenes that they never wanted to see again. Making a heroic exit is not an option because it will be accompanied by disaster. Elections could be another gamble that would destroy the little trust people have left, while prolonging uncertainty.
There are not a lot of good solutions for Tsipras, or the country, at this point. During such difficult times I tend to become colorful by advising cool-headedness and national consensus. I know that all kinds of extremists and crazy folk from across the political spectrum don’t like this. But I don’t see another way. We will never, ever get out of the mess we ended up in without a government based on a broad consensus and staffed by the best that parties and society have to offer.
A government, not of prophets or appointed technocrats, but of people who will be given a mandate by the people to save and reconstruct the country based on plan and a vision.
