Pagkalos’ relations with Maximou on a tightrope

Relations between Pagkalos and Maximou are strained after the distances kept by the government’s spokesman Giorgos Petalotis not only about the luxurious New Year’s party, but also about the continuous provocative statements by the vice president.

The intra-government climate is quite heavy for Pagkalos, and many ministers are not hiding their discomfort.  

However, it is not certain whether Papandreou will make a personal intervention to control the situation and avoid bigger intra-governmental crisis.

In this context, today’s meeting of the inter-institutional body, which Papandreou is presiding at and high-ranking members of the government, the party and the parliamentary group will attend, seems quite interesting.

There is the possibility that some will bring up the issue that there have to be suggestions towards Pagkalos – some sources say that he might not attend – not to display provocative behavior in a period when the Greek people are called upon to contribute with grave sacrifices towards an exit from the recession.

Besides, such messages have reached Maximou not only from ministers and other members, but also from union factors of PASOK, who are constantly confronting the wrath of the workers because of Pagkalos’ statements.