tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post9109457843303613048..comments2023-07-17T11:55:51.363+02:00Comments on ObservingGreece: Mr. Samaras - learn from SYRIZA!kleinguthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-23323139077382644722012-06-18T22:07:10.604+02:002012-06-18T22:07:10.604+02:00Mr. Samaras' "best hope" is the foll...Mr. Samaras' "best hope" is the following: He successfully manages to renegotiate the memorandum, satisfying the hopes of a part of his voters and maybe others that have left his party. Manage to somehow apply the new program in a half-decent way, for enough time, for Greece to be included in the "new EU" that should be forming at some point and take advantage of a EU-wide solution (like, yet another haircut, of the official sector this time - OSI - which will include ECB bonds and central banks bonds), eurobond and inflation in Germany or inflation EU-wide.<br /><br />IMHO, in order for all of this to happen, Mr. Samaras must first train his praying skills, because, the chances are higher that something in there will go wrong.<br /><br />Bandolero.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-2111872195081907072012-06-18T21:54:16.167+02:002012-06-18T21:54:16.167+02:00"Realizing (sadly) that Mr. Papandreou was mo..."Realizing (sadly) that Mr. Papandreou was more the "son of the father" than a Mrs. Thatcher."<br /><br />Hahaha! Thank you for the good laugh! Papandreou a Mrs. Thatcher. Hahaha! I don't know Mr. Kastner why you have this peculiar interest in Greece, but, really, it was obvious for any objective observer since well, the time his father put him in PASOK, that he was little more than "son of the father". If his surname wasn't Papandreou, nobody would have ever voted him. He was voted exactly because the name was evoking sentiments to the socialist crowd, that was hoping for a revival of his late father.<br /><br />His father basically destroyed the economy, but had political charisma into reading political situations, acting swiftly and effectively. I can tell you one thing. If his father was at his place in 2009, he would have denied to that "masterplan" that predicted to reduce the deficit from 15,4% to 3% in 3 years, while in recession already. He would have done, what Tsipras tries today (that's why Tsipras does it). He would have said "give me something that is realistic or i default here and now whilst my debt is still 120% and towards private lenders instead of the state sector". And i have no doubt that even if he had to default, he would have found a way to sell it to the people as the best option. (which is again, what Tsipras thinks he could do).<br /><br />Bandolero.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-48088537347137732992012-06-18T21:46:14.291+02:002012-06-18T21:46:14.291+02:00Mr. Kastner,
First, you can't teach an old d...Mr. Kastner, <br /><br />First, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. And Mr. Samaras is an old dog, typical of the "old guard" of politicians that ruined Greece in the last 30 years.<br /><br />Second, Mr. Tsipras' strength isn't his ideology. It's a) his offer to "liberate" the people from the "troika yoke" , b) to rule without having corruption on his back, c) his offering refuge to voters, mainly from the center-left, that want to punish the responsibles of the bankruptcy (PASOK and ND).<br /><br />Mr. Samaras can't beat that. Even the people who voted yesterday Mr. Samaras, didn't vote for him in their majority, but voted simply against Mr. Tsipras. Mr. Samaras' only hope as politician, to avoid following the fate of Papandreou, is to surpass himself and reform Greece despite political cost or special group interests that have ties with his party. To do that, Mr. Samaras' must use non politicians as ministers, so that they won't be afraid of political cost.<br /><br />This way, even when Greece leaves the euro, Mr. Samaras will have earned his post in history, because no matter what the currency, Greece needs reforms. <br /><br />The question is how much time will Mr. Samaras endure, before Mr. Tsipras' opposition and people's insofference, brings him down.<br /><br />I heard Mr. Merkel today saying that there is no room for any change in the greek plan. In this case, in September probably Mr. Tsipras will be PM and Mr. Samaras will pass in greek history as the most short-lived PM ever.<br /><br />But Mr. Merkel has her own domestic audience to entertain, i figure she will allow some loosening of the noose. Then the clock with start ticking. It's a matter of time before the people get fed up and follow Tsipras. Already, there are far too many those who aren't afraid of Tsipras anymore. Since you know Kazantzakis, you will also know the engraving he wished to be put on his grave. "I hope nothing, i fear nothing, i am free".<br /><br />It is a matter of time, unless they see a tangible improvement of their prospect, before the majority of Greeks say that and Mr. Tsipras will be their leader, as sad as this may be. No matter if Mr. Samaras or Mrs. Merkel will be ready or not. And there is nothing Mr. Samaras will be able to do to compete with the "new hope". You can't fight hope with just fear forever.<br /><br />Bandolero.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com