Slot machines mistake marks "the end of an era" for the Czar.

Maximou Mansion has been baffled since the end of last week, as the uprising of PASOK members against Finance Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou on the occasion of the bill to regulate gambling not only points to "the end of an era" for the economy “czar”, but also the really narrow limits within which the entire government moves.

According to sources, Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou has been receiving personal requests to take it upon himself to get the project approved by PASOK’s parliamentary team - which the government expects will receive 700 million euros annually – but even if it does, everyone seems to agree that this tactic can lead nowhere. “Does this mean that every time a finance minister or any other minister faces a parliamentary team, the Prime Minister will have to bear the burden and manage the whole ordeal?” is a question on many a government official’s lips, who believe in two kinds of moves: Firstly, the removal of Giorgos Papakonstantinou once the presentation and adoption of the medium-term program stability is complete, at the latest; secondly, an even more drastic intervention is suggested, such as a government reshuffle or even national elections.

The latter scenario is being discussed more and more in the government camp, since it has come to their attention that the current situation has reached its limits, the government’s policies cannot go through and a new strategy must be formed. In any case, the government is preparing the medium-term plan which is to be presented on Friday April 15th and will aim to save at least 23 million euro for the 2012-2015 period. The program will include harsh tax measures and further drastic cuts in public spending, as well as in wage costs.

It must be approved by May 15th by the House. For the period prior to that, but mainly for after that date, government officials state that “anything can happen in the political arena”.

In the past few days, ongoing deliberations have been taking place in the Maximou Mansion, in order to devise political maneuvers and select the communication plan.