16 june 2012, the greek election

We are already in a least bad scenario, but what is needed this sunday ? First, stability, which means greece being able to form a government in the next few days, and one that will last through what will be a very stormy few months. For that to happen, the best case is for what have emerged as the two main parties at this point, the traditional centre right new democracy and the radical new centre left syriza, to emerge as strongly as possible. The winner gets an extra 50 seats, putting it in pole position in terms of forming a government. The key point is not really the platform, as in fact all greeks pretty much want syriza's platform, namely an end to austerity but staying in the eurozone. The big question though is whether that is possible. If they think it is, they are increasingly voting syriza, if they think not, then new democracy. Whichever wins, they will at first try to form a coalition from "their" bloc, be that left/right or for/against the austerity-ridden bailout. The very best outcome though would be for them to join forces. Without new democracy, there is simply not the continuity needed; without syriza, the will of the people is thwarted and they will never have consensus. Best would be for a joint approach to renegotiate the bailout, from the starting point of where it is, not a blank sheet; and that needs both of them to compromise and work together. We can only hope.