Blaming it on the bogeyman

Every time the government’s negotiations with the troika of international lenders reaches a critical point, Greeks are plunged into a state of fear and insecurity.

Greek politicians have never taken the initiative to explain in clear terms just what the troika is demanding and which of these demands are irrational in terms of the public’s and the country’s interests, and which are not.

Ever since the start of the crisis, politicians have chosen the easy way out: hiding behind the troika and presenting it as the bogeyman. All they achieve by this cowardice, however, is greater public anger. If the reforms being demanded include measures such as the restriction of early retirements, which need to be adopted for the good of the economy whether the troika insists on them or not, then someone ought to have the courage to come forward and say so.

The current circumstances demand that the country’s politicians to be open and succinct, and, most importantly, unafraid.