“We are going to face ourselves in 2011…”

“Here comes the hard part”; this was the message of Giorgos Papakonstantinou to his Government and party colleagues about the cruel reality they will soon face, warning them that the situation does not call for exercises in “revolutionary tactics”, not while the budget vote and the implementation of the Memorandum terms are just ahead.

The minister of Finance was clear, when faced with the reactions and controversies raised in the Cabinet meeting and the Parliamentary Group of Labor in the Economy sector of PASOK: “In 2010 the people showed tolerance when we cut their wages and pensions. In 2011 we will have to confront our own selves” he said, describing the tyoe and range of confrontations to be expected.

In his Cabinet talk, Giorgos Papandreou said that the next quarter is crucial for Greece’s fight and mentioned the tough decisions they will have to make and the reactions they might face.

In fact, the PM, who will take a coordinating role in this attempt, made it clear to his ministers that the onus is now on everyone in order to manage the changes needed in the dysfunctional, convoluted and bureaucratic public sector.

These are the "special missions" given to more than half a dozen ministers, combined with suffocating deadlines until mid-February and the subsequent visit of the Troika, which will determine the issue of the next loan installment:

1) Dimitris Reppas, minister of Infrastructure, will have to fully implement the OSE
restructuring plan and prepare the one for public transport.

2) Giannis Ragousis, minister of Internal Affairs, will have to introduce the necessary legislation for the full implementation of Kallikrates while during December, in collaboration with Papakonstantinou, they will have to complete the Unified Payment Authority and the plan for the new public sector payroll.  
3) Andreas Loverdos, minister of Health, must commence the interventions in hospitals and the drug system, untying at the same time the Gordian Knot which is Greece’s citation to the European Court for the unacceptable procurement system for hospitals.

4) Ms Louka Katseli, minister of Labour, will have to legislate the changes in labor relations and prepare the actuarial studies for the 4 large funds.

5) Ms Tina Birbili must prepare the action plan for the release of the Energy market and speed up the procedures for the Cadastre.

6) Michalis Chrisochoidis, minister of Regional Development and Competitiveness, will have to undertake legislating initiative for the improvement of the business environment, multiply the absorption aims for EU funds (from 3% in 2009 to 17% this year and over 20% in 2011-12), bring the new Development Act forward and implement measures to boost the export sector.

7) Giorgos Papakonstantinou himself will have to bring the new tax legislation to Parliament by December, with a plan for restructuring the services and actions to fight tax evasion, while he must also close this year’s budget within expected limits and prepare the privatization plan.  

By January, all related ministries must work together to complete the opening up of closed professions for lawyers, notaries, engineers etc.

Crucial meeting for the Parliamentary Group of ND

Mr Antonis Samaras is calling for a meeting of the ND’s Parliamentary Group, Friday 12pm, in an attempt to put an end to the new introversion climate brought on by the founding of Ms Bakogianni’s party and the withdrawal of two MPs.  

So far, Rigillis has incriminated the withdrawals of Mr Avgenakis and Mr Kontogiannis, speaking of «a new apostasy» and asking them to return their Parliament seats to the party through which they were elected, raising the issue of political morality.

The ND president, who spoke of a plan to weaken the party, will not tolerate the «Chinese water torture» of gradual withdrawals but will not allow tempers to be raised either. Mr Samaras will give a political speech; he will set the party’s strategy, insist on the stance against the Memorandum and form the context for a consensus with the Government if the Prime Minister takes the initiative.

He will suggest that whoever disagrees with party politics, which was vindicated in the last elections, will have to come clean and choose sides. He will of course attack the Government and the “cherubim” and link the withdrawals with the tough spot of the Government. He will describe how the departed MPs give a helping hand and place themselves within the framework of «the alliance of those who stand for the Memorandum».

The MPs will be tougher

It is expected that the party MPS will have a harder response and lift a protective shield to give «an answer to all those aiming to weaken ND». Although it has been a while since the last time the MPs took a stand, no deviations are expected, not even from those who are expected to withdraw.  

Even Mr Kostas Karagounis, who is talked about a lot, does not intend to confront the ND leadership or leave the party. However, such moves are postponed, given the fact that the rumors come from MPs closer to Ms Bakogianni than to Rigillis.  

At any rate, Rigillis estimates that there are «very few willing to support the Government or follow Ms Bakogianni». They also suggest that these withdrawals are connected with Ms Bakogianni, who answers back saying that these are «conspiracy theories which are uninteresting for the citizens». It is doubtful, however, if this attitude serves the renewal she is taking about since the relationship with these members is well known, and will be officially confirmed when they join the party, even if this happens at the founding meeting next March.

Mr Kostas Karamanlis, former party President, will also attend the meeting and said yesterday that «ND is our home and we support our party». What he said is self-evident – unless he was thinking of withdrawing – while he avoided any comments on Ms Bakogianni’s move, which weakens the party of which he was the leader, or giving support to his successor, who was elected by a democratic process and confirmed in the recent elections.

It is quite clear that Mr Karamanlis is using this conjuncture to put pressure on Mr Samaras to keep on covering his failed quinquennium. At the same time, there are MPs close to him who ask for protection and seek to remain at the forefront by making good use of their relationship with him.