The emergence of two new parties, the Karystianou party and the Tsipras party, isn’t necessarily going to turn the political scene on its head.
It’s not even very likely.
But it is stirring things up—a lot. Probably too much for the newcomers to properly capitalize on.
The Tsipras party, which is due to be announced within the next 24 hours, doesn’t seem to appeal to an audience any broader than that of the SYRIZA of yesterday.
While the Karystianou party, which was announced on Thursday, already addresses a audience far more niche than the many who were galvanized by the terrible accident at Tempi.
Even so, the chaotic scenes in Parliament over the last few days are the direct result of the turmoil that has gripped the entire political system.
This impact is perhaps less pronounced for the government, which seems largely unaffected by these new arrivals, but it is certainly greater on the opposition benches, where things have become increasingly fluid.
Parliamentary parties from PASOK to SYRIZA and from Velopoulos to Konstantopoulou, will now have to reassess their stature, along with their goals and desires.
And that will be no simple matter, because doing so is neither customary nor welcome in the Greek political arena. After all, how many political organizations have we seen founder when they were convinced they were steering the right course?
The current turmoil—and even the hysterical and unpolitical reactions—stems directly from this inability on the part of most parties to adapt to changing conditions
Which is only natural and to be expected. When politics does not serve principles and rules, it becomes a cynical smash and grab. By whatever means necessary, and at any cost.
So nothing should surprise us. Not even the transformation of the political debate into the sort of slasher movie Diamantopoulou warned about. When, most of the opposition has been churning out the same old stuff for three long years, it’s highly unlikely to change its repertoire in the home stretch.
And, needless to say, the government isn’t about to throw in the towel.
It is easy to see, then, why the emergence of two new parties has stirred thing up, even if it hasn’t changed the electoral balance of power.
Everyone is reacting in line with to the ‘smash and grab’ of their dreams, and the votes they imagine they have or are entitled to. But not in accordance with a plan.
This is the exact image reflected in the parliamentary goings-on of the last 24 hours. No one has anything more serious or meaningful to say, so all they’ve done is bicker with one another.
And from the looks of it, that is exactly how we will head to the polls— with little reason to hope that the turmoil will subside on election night, especially if it serves as a convenient way out for the losers.
