Habitually dissident ministers
Before the dispute between Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Transport Minister Michalis Liapis had even been settled, another spat between Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and his predecessor, Nikitas Kaklamanis, had broken out after the former appeared to raise doubts about the latter’s ministerial work. Then Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis announced her intention of bringing the mosque in Monastiraki back into use, sparking the ire of Education and Religious Affairs Minister Marietta Giannakou, who warned her publicly that «religious and educational affairs are my realm of responsibility.» Those of us who have attributed the endless government squabbling to a lack of coordination by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis should probably assign blame more fairly. How could the PM prevent the last two incidents? Ministers, after all, are jointly responsible for decisions, working together for successful governance and a renewal of popular trust. Before publicizing her intentions on the mosque, the foreign minister should have discussed the matter with her colleague. Avramopoulos should have done likewise if he disagreed with legislative acts announced by his predecessor, who is not a party rival but his co-worker. These internal disagreements suggest something more troubling within the ruling party, whereby notions of collective responsibility have been replaced by an arrogant, even feudal, egocentricity by some – usually inversely proportional to their time and accomplishments in power. Personal promotion trumps collective responsibility. The premier probably cannot prevent such behavior, but he can punish it by publicly stating the government’s stance on such issues. Covering up and playing down internal disputes may even encourage the habitual dissidents.
