21.2.13
Despite high expectations on the eve of the general strike, SYRIZA’s leadership decided to tone down its rhetoric about the political consequences of demonstrations and activism.
Despite repeated calls for mass participation and the creation of a front to subvert the government’s memorandum politics, the Opposition party’s stance after yesterday’s strike suggests a turn to a more pragmatic discourse; Mr. Tsipras’ close partners were rather subdued and characterized the strike “an index” of societal developments, compared to the “milestone” hyperbole of previous days.
This change suggests that SYRIZA’s leadership is worried about the true conditions within which workers and unemployed are expected to operate and respond to strike calls and protests. Simply put, the biggest problem is the justified unwillingness of employees to further “sacrifice” their income.
One of Mr. Tsipras’ close partners attempted to explain the (relatively) low attendance by stating that “we know people can’t stand any more income loss and they tell us. They ask us to organize marches in the afternoon or holidays, but that is not up to us”.
