This days we are experiencing a political drama similar to the one played out from the summer until the end of 2014.
During that political situation, with the Samaras government under pressure from the results of the European election, the technocratic negotiation with the troika stalled and turned into a political negotiation.
The opposition at the time and current government took maximum advantage of the electoral results and pressed with all its might for elections, accusing the Prime Minister of weakness, submissiveness and choices that led the country to a financial and social catastrophe.
Despite the appeals of the Press, financial and social bodies to close the first review, to reach an agreement with the creditors and partners so that the country may carry own with whatever the cost, the government and opposition chose the path of loss.
The government played its political negotiation card, desperately hoping that it will turn the troika around, while the impatient opposition insisted until the end, did not agree to the election of a new President and Greece did not close the review, nor avoid the elections.
The review was neglected, the elections were carried out, Samaras lost and Tsipras achieved a victory with which he did not know what to do.
He assumed power unprepared and led the country on the brink, saving the day at the last moment, after having to renege completely on his first declarations and assume responsibilities he could not bare.
The price of imprudence turned out to be costly for the country. With a second election, in order to reconfirm popular support, valuable time was lost and with it, of course the critical and necessary political capital to manage extreme circumstances.
One year later and Tsipras is virtually in the same spot that Samaras was in the winter of 2014.
Now it is Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the polls putting the political pressure on Tsipras.
Antonis Karakousis
Originally published in the Sunday print edition
