PROBLEM

Silence of the Lambs. “Presidency” is a well-known sport, even in a non-election period such as this one. Starting May 21 – and I dare to predict the one that will follow until June 25 – these debates are almost non-existent. Either because the applicants for ministerial posts do not want to provoke with their preferences, or because they know that the prime minister will not take into account any proposal from a third party. The fact, of course, that based on the May 21st election data, new elections are likely to turn Kyriakos Mitsotakis into one of the strongest post-revolutionary prime ministers, perhaps helps a little to keep the “circles” of various “ministers” or “renewables” in check.

DILEMMA

Allegedly, there was a dilemma about what kind of debate would take place. After the last meeting of the inter-party commission, the expected decision was made. This debate will feature five parties (ND, SYRIZA, PASOK, KKE and Hellenic Solution) that have elected representatives to parliament following the May 21 parliamentary elections. However, the six journalists who will be asking questions during the debate (which will take place on ERT) come from six channels that broadcast across the country. In practice, the ratio of journalists to political leaders suggests that in each round of questions, one of the journalists should not ask a question. Tomorrow, Thursday, a second meeting of the inter-party commission will be held, to which a representative of the journalists who will take part has been invited. In the debate, which will take place on June 15, another section has been added – free questions from journalists. The debate will conclude with a closing statement from the political leaders.

FACE

The selection of Akis Skertzos as government representative and later as ND representative initially aroused skepticism even within the ND. Mr. Schertzos has always been known for his efficiency in less extroverted activities, in fact some of his public appearances in the past have been considered too “technocratic” by Greek standards. Everything that followed from his appointment to this position decisively refutes those who believed that Mr. Schertzos was not made for this role. After all, he, too, was created for this role. Of course, until May 21, the work of those who represented N.D. in a public space it was very easy, especially when they had the “usual suspects” from SYRIZA in front of them. In recent days, after the shock of May 21 and the belated decision of Alexis Tsipras to highlight some other faces, at least in terms of communication, SYRIZA sounds somehow more normal, and not a malicious reproduction of the past that existed only in the imagination of some of her leaders. A little more connected with reality is the summer of 2023, and not the summer of 2012, 2014, 2015.

PLACE

Thessaloniki. SYRIZA President Alexis Tsipras left a carnation at the site where Alkis Campanos was brutally murdered in February 2022 by fans in an ambush. “A year later, the need for a society where there is no place for violence in stadiums, in sports, among our children, remains relevant,” Mr. Tsipras said shortly thereafter. 19-year-old Alkis was killed simply because he was a fan of Ari. Despite the judicial progress and the loud statements that are recorded every time such or similar tragic incident shocks public opinion, there remains a sense of futility. The atmosphere of depression about the inability to set the rules in the game, to gnaw through gangs, not to kill young people for literally nothing. This will also be the rate for the government on June 26th.

ATTACK

“Love for the motherland, for traditions and a thirst for any change that will improve the lives of our people” are the elements that, according to him, prompted communications expert Sotiris Tsumas to join the ranks of Kyriakos’ Greek Solution. Velopoulos in connection with the June 25 elections. Mr. Tsoumas was in the past—and still is—widely known in church circles and the labyrinths around them. Therefore, his connection with Mr. Velopoulos, who actually competes at this time with … the unenlightened Niki, is explained in different ways. However, he had years to connect the church background with political events.