Is the Greek Government ready for the Grande Kolotoumba?

 

Having stalled for over four months, the Greek coalition government of SYRIZA and ANEL is ready to concede to a series of “reforms” that will open the way for the long anticipated “bailout”.

This is not a love song
This is not a love song

Although the list has not been officially approved by any entity yet (EUROGROUP, TROIKA, EUROZONE Parliaments), it seems that it is very close to the final version.  The bottom line adds up to a total of EUR 7.9 billion for the next 18 months deviating significantly from the THESSALONIKI PROGRAMME (SYRIZA’s core plan for getting the country out of any kind of bail-out program) and the post-election mandate approved by the Greek parliament.

Government spokesman Gavriel Sakellarides: “The climate has improved, we are closer to a solution. This of course depends on whether the institutions accept the government’s proposal which is the basis for discussion and agreement”

Will SYRIZA/ANEL receive enough parliamentary votes to pass the new “reform” agreement? Will the pro-Europe political parties give a vote of confidence?  Are the Greek citizens who voted for SYRIZA/ANEL willing to accept these very harsh measures?

KOLOTOUMBA.com will be monitoring every move and we will attempt to pin-point the good KOLOTOUMBAs from the bad ones. Stay tuned.

Is the Greek Government ready for the Grande Kolotoumba?

FT.com article debates over likelihood of KOLOTOUMBA

Tony Barber of the Financial Times has posted an excellent article on the Greek Prime Minister’s, Alexis Tsipras, internal debate on whether to perform the long-waited KOLOTOUMBA.

FT.com article on KOLOTOUMBA
FT.com article on KOLOTOUMBA

Full article at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/2b6ab8d4-e27d-11e4-aa1d-00144feab7de.html#ixzz3XIlWQBwu

The article’s conclusion is indeed conclusive

Mr Tsipras seems, then, a flexible politician who, if he chose, could perform a “kolotoumba” and dump the Syriza diehards. A different interpretation is that he is preparing the ground, in the event of a default, for an appeal to all patriotic forces to back him.

In only a matter of days, we will find out the truth.

FT.com article debates over likelihood of KOLOTOUMBA

Minister of State on kolotoumba

 

It seems that KOLOTOUMBA has evolved into a full-fledged political term.  During the recent mandate-vote discussions in the Greek Parliament, KOLOTOUMBA was mentioned several times by top state politicians originating from the entire range of parties.

On February 11, during the deliberations of the EUROGROUP (EG), journalists from all over the world, were anxiously awaiting a single tweet from one of the participants. Rumor had it that the Ministers of Finance of the EU could not agree on an written agreement endorsed by all EG members. Apparently, the Greek representatives would not allow for the term “extension” to enter the agreement because it would consist a – you guessed itKOLOTOUMBA (SYRIZA has rejected any extensions of the current reform aid/funding package and prefers a “bridging agreement”).

A little before midnight, the Greek Minister of State Nikos Pappas, considered by many as the right-hand (or rather the left-hand) adviser of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and allegedly in constant communication with the Greek EG representatives, tweeted the following;

n.papas-tweet-kolotoumba

I laugh at those who dream of KOLOTOUMBAs.  Just wait.

More on the EUROGROUP of 11 February 2015: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_12/02/2015_547181

Note for newcomers: KOLOTOUMBA is actually the unofficial Greek word for a back-flip or somersault performed by acrobats and gymnastics athletes.  In Greek political jargon it describes any change of a position on a specific policy, especially when it is a full 180- degree reverse.

For instance:

  • Position : Party Z will vote against legalizing recreational use of drugs
  • Outcome: Party Z votes for legalizing recreational use of drugs

Ergo KOLOTOUMBA

 

Minister of State on kolotoumba