Reversing the trend

Over the past few months we have seen the opposition taking the lead in public opinion polls, not due to any immense popularity or a convincing plan, but because Greeks want to punish the government.

Voters who have adopted this way of thinking ought to consider whether besides punishing the government they would also be willing to punish themselves. Unless, of course, they really believe that they would end up paying lower taxes and reforms would be implemented much faster under a SYRIZA administration.

Citizens, however, do not like being frightened into accepting bad choices in people and policies. What they need is someone who is serious and has a plan about the way forward.

The government could reverse the current climate and make the election of a new president by Parliament possible, but this would mean that it needs to stop making mistakes that harm itself and others.