A dangerous performance

Greece’s coalition government has become so divided and contradictory that it must be losing the plot.

On the issue of the name deal signed last month with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in particular, there is a vast chasm between the ruling leftist SYRIZA party and its nationalist junior partner, Independent Greeks.

The prime minister meanwhile, makes a point of accusing the opposition of adopting extreme and contradictory positions. At the same time, though, the party with which SYRIZA is in government is publicly saying that it would rather topple the administration than see the name deal signed in Prespes pass through Parliament.

It is obvious that the government is putting on some kind of performance – and this is a show that cannot go on for much longer.