Really, if someone steps out of the opposition and says what is being widely discussed in all the salons abroad—namely, that Greece has greatly improved its international image and that the country’s finances are in good shape, does that mean part of the opposition has to pounce on him and tear him apart?
I am, of course, referring to the relevant statement by Anna Diamantopoulou, who dared to say publicly something that is a common observation in European and international circles. And yet, the attacks began immediately. First, Haris Doukas, who has stated that he essentially wishes to serve as the tail of Alexis Tsipras after the elections. Obviously, such a statement undermines his plans and does not serve the political narrative he is trying to build.
But it wasn’t just Mr. Doukas. Ms. Diamantopoulou also came under fire, as did SYRIZA, who went so far as to ask Nikos Androulakis to intervene and bring her to her senses—indirectly but clearly—because she dared to describe a reality that is internationally recognized.
That’s not how you win over the Center kids.
The question is simple: What exactly is at stake? That in this country, if the government says the sky is cloudy, a part of the opposition will come out to claim that the sky is bright blue? That we must necessarily reject any positive development simply because the government mentions it and it is one of its achievements?
The opposition has a duty to exercise oversight and put forward proposals. After seven years of governance, there are certainly many areas where serious and well-documented criticism can be directed. But when politics turns into a permanent denial of reality, then the problem does not lie with the government. It lies with those who insist on turning black into white, even when the facts contradict them.
