The Greek leadership capitulates
- By Heiko Khoo
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, July 16, 2015
Hard-nosed financial interests in Germany were pushing for Greek expulsion -- a line that Merkel probably subscribed to. However, Germany also stared into the abyss, because it is heavily dependent on Europe as an export market. Merkel's face seemed to visibly age with worry in the last weeks, and each night she will have asked herself: where will Germany be if the Euro collapses and the European Union begins to unwind? Indeed, what will her own historical legacy be, if Europe collapses under her watch?
Tsipras wants Greece to remain in the Euro at all costs and he seems to believe that rational arguments and democratic pressure from the Greek people can make Europe see reason, and abandon austerity across the continent. However, Syriza was unwilling to challenge either private ownership of the banks or private ownership of the commanding heights of the economy. Therefore, there were insufficient levers at the disposal of the government to transform the economy, from one dominated by creditors interests, to one dominated by the interests of the mass of the people.
It looks like Tsipras will now expel those party comrades who refuse to accept this betrayal, of what they, and the majority in Greece, rejected just over a week ago. He is likely to cobble together an alliance with PASOK (the social democratic party) and New Democracy (the Greek conservatives), the very parties Syriza defeated in the January elections.
Although their criticisms of Tsipras are correct, the rump of Syriza that refuses to accept his policy will be paralysed and stunned. An effective regrouping of these forces to challenge this capitulation will probably take some time, and the Greek masses will suffer as a consequence. Syriza's surrender will undoubtedly strengthen influence of the fascist party, Golden Dawn.
As European bureaucrats directly impose further economic misery, popular anger at the terrible suffering and indignity experienced by the Greek people will increase. The nationalist argument, that Grexit (Greek exit from the Euro and the European Union) would be better than national humiliation, will gain support. Indeed, it remains likely that Greece will eventually be expelled from the Euro, because its debts remain unpayable.
Heiko Khoo is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://china.org.cn/opinion/heikokhoo.htm
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)