Editorial: The political problem

The scandal involving telephone surveillance [by the National Intelligence Service] of politicians and journalists has cast a heavy shadow over the bright August skies of Athens, reviving the danger, or rather the threat, of political instability, which can have a catalytic impact on Greek affairs in these particularly trying times.

Until now, the spectre of political danger seemed to be under control, allowing a sense of relative security, despite the many adversities - the energy crisis, galloping inflation, and others - wrought by the Russo-Ukrainian war and aggravated by Turkish claims in the Aegean.

The revelation of the surveillance scandal rocked domestic politics, bridges of communication between parties collapsed, and political dialogue is becoming ever more toxic.

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By all indications, over the next pre-electoral months, tensions will escalate and the country will be in danger of sliding into ruthless domestic political and social clashes.

This will be all the more true if there is confirmation of rumours that the surveillance network was wider than what has been revealed until now.

The likely predominance of such political conditions, combined with the proportional representation electoral law, will make it more difficult not only to form a single-party government, but even a viable coalition government.

In that sense, the revival of political danger, or political risk as economists would put it, is for all practical purposes a given.

Undoubtedly, the government has been wounded by a very dark affair for our democracy.

It is obviously on the defensive as it struggles to wrest itself free from the crushing...