News & views …
Back to Main
July 18, 2015
Open Thread 2015-29
Comments
No one in this discussion ever said that Grexit was part of Syriza’s offensive plan. And the real question is whether Syriza has met the the Greek people’s expectations, after the months of negotiation.
Grexit was not the order of business, on offer, during the referendum vote, either. Clearly the people have not clamored for this in the foregoing months. Polls showed that Greeks wanted to stay in the EU and were not interested in giving up Euro currency.
There is no point in blaming Tsipras for the mediocre results, or of accusing him of betrayal, when he has only delivered what the people were prepared to accept. But I would say that bitter circumstances, and harsh experience, have often caused people to change their perspective and reevaluate their political objectives. If Grexit proves necessary to preserve what Greeks value in their country, and other political avenues are closed which would bring their misery to an end; then they are quite capable of making the decision themselves.
Copeland at 101 —
It’s irrelevant if anyone in this discussion (I presume you mean here at the Bar) raised it.
The prospect of a break from the Eurozone via default (not quite the same as leaving Europe or even the European Union pseudo-state, the former EEC) was the only high card Greece held. They played it weakly, if at all. They were reduced to asking Brussels and Frankfurt “Pretty please, be nice to us, ’cause, democracy” and we see where that got them.
The recent account of Varoufakis’ behind-the-scenes look at restoring the drachma shows at least someone seriously considered it.
That there were demonstrators in front of the Parliament as the voted to approve the surrender terms dictated to Syriza says what I need to know about voter satisfaction. They are assuredly getting voters to re-evaluate them, but I would doubt if that re-think iw going Syriza’s way.
Posted by: rufus magister | Jul 30 2015 3:42 utc | 102
IMF Staff nixes support for third bailout w/ debt restructuring: IMF cannot join Greek rescue, board told
“Greece wants to decide on some important reforms only in the fall and the Europeans only want to deal with the debt issue after the first review because they first want to rebuild trust,” the summary states. “The differences between the IMF’s thinking about the debt issue and what the Europeans are currently discussing are very large.”
EZ/Schauble have promised debt reform (now in writing) but apparently want it subject to ‘conditionality’. Essentially, drip..drip..drip debt relief. As I have said, Tsipras/Greece must remain viligent and INSIST upon appropriately massive debt restructuring and a detailed implementation plan.
By refusing to provide commitments and detailed plans for debt restructuring, EX/Troika/Schauble is essentially forcing GRexit because I can not see how Tsipras can agree to a deal that contains only promises of debt restructuring.
=
Many economists say that it is GERMANY that should exit. Schauble seems to believe that either Greece goes now, or the pressure on Germany grows greater. ECB QE only keeps the music playing – it doesn’t solve the inherent problems in the EZ.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jul 30 2015 16:32 utc | 103