Greek Prime Minister's call for early elections seems to be the perfect strategy to win absolute majority, but his retaining Greece within the EU afterall, should shed light to what labour members can expect from Jeremy Corbyn, if he eventually wins the keys to No.10.
As Greek PM announced his resignation last night, and called for an early election next month some think it is much too 'smart' a move at this time.
But Alexis Tsipras has already sought the opinion of his people twice, as he tries to negotiate a financial bailout for his country.
The greek bailout referendum of 2015 took place on 5 July 2015. That his country followed his guidance to reject the bailout condition, even though he believed the country should still reach an accord with the EU was one sure way of accessing their belief in his administration. They listened to him and resoundingly rejected the bailout.
As the country prepared to continue negotiation with the EU, former Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis, known for his hardline position to the harsh bailout conditions, was forced to resign. But even at that, he was proud of his position. That Tsipras accepted his resignation, was purely designed to make headway at the negotiation table. Greece was close a default and would have had to leave the EU.
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| Former Greece PM, Alexis Tsipras, wants to be sure he has the support of his people all the way. (Photo Credit: via Wiki.) |
Despite their tough stance and harsh conditions, the EU wanted Greece to remain within the block. And accepting the terms was the only way to ensure the country remains in the eurozone, which opinion polls have shown the vast majority of his population wants.
In the past one week, a bailout deal worth Euros 60 billion - enough to secure Greece for the next three years have been sealed. But it has come at a cost. And not many within his coalition government feel happy about it, even though a more stable Greece reported an economic growth during the same period.
One condition that has been seriously highlighted is the planned increase in the rate of VAT - one move that is sure to push up prices, and make life tougher living in a country where shelves were emptied as a result of panic buying in the face of a series of deadlocks and break-down in talks.
In 2013, Greece was forced to increase taxes for economic aid. Within the past months since Tsipras assumed power, capital controls have had to be imposed limiting the with-drawable amount by each individual to £40 a day. It is a relief that this has been relaxed once again. Greek stocks have also taken a beating, as the news of the tougher outlines filtered out.
His decision to quit - only 8 months after taking over the reigns - is certainly a bold move, but with his achievement in first securing an interim bailout deal and before a longer deal - tougher as the conditions may seem, he is almost certain to win the absolute support of his people to govern without the need of a coalition.
To have the tenacity to sustain the negotiations, despite several breakdowns, tumultuous protests and riots at home and having to shuttle around the world in search of possible alternatives in case agreement proved impossible from negotiations, Tsipras has displayed some good qualities of an inspiring leader.
It will not be a surprise if he wins an absolute majority in September's general elections. But if he fails, he sure won't lose the respect and love of his people.
The lesson in all this is that those who express fears that Jeremy Corbyn may be anti-business and anti-city, if he wins the keys to Downing Street, will see easily that the man may actually turn out to be a business booster for the city.
Politicians are, more often than not, forced to make payment and humiliating adjustments despite their initial take on issues. When the real issues have to be addressed, a `deal' mindset is usually brought into the scene.
In this regard, it will seem too presumptuous to assume that his seeming hard line take on some issues now will be unchangeable. Unforeseen circumstances often make this necessary.
Isn't it said that the taste of the pudding, actually, is in the eating?
