By George Siakas*
The official article was published in the greek newspaper TA NEA.gr and you can read it (in greek), here.
What are the main features of the political environment today?
Definitely the significant deterioration of the government. Of course, this is not something new. On the way to the elections, New Democracy maintains a steady lead over SYRIZA and the Prime Minister falls short of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the main opposition leader, in the question of “eligibility” for the principle of Prime Minister. The government which is in the last year of its mandate and its performance – in almost all policy areas – is considered negative by the majority of public opinion.
On the other hand, the truth is, that the image of stabilization of the party system is impressive. Especially at the top of it. It is characteristic that the debate about what the form of the party system is, is presented outdated in recent years. Now, we are in the face of a new – maybe a weak but true – two-parties system, between SYRIZA and ND. Moreover, the intense views on SYRIZA’s shrinking and its return to its old low rates no longer occupy the political debate. This is the big picture, which has been sustained for about two years. In general, public opinion has crystallized its view of political actors. Therefore, recent events – intergovernmental contradictions and the various tensions – do not have any particular effect on the already established attitudes. Typical examples are the summer fires. The public opinion polls conducted after the disaster in Attica have revealed marginal changes in the electoral forces of the two major parties. Indeed, some showed an increase in SYRIZA’s aggregation and rates.
We should not be impressed. We have seen it again in the past. Public opinion gradually shapes its attitude and keeps it stable. Let us remind ourselves, of course, the exit on the markets that the previous government of A. Samaras, has attempted, or even the end of the Memorandum that the current government has come into sight strongly. consequently, governments have highlighted milestones that did not really inspire public opinion. This political stability puts forward a favorable message for the future. In the 2012 elections, the previously stable party system was dismantled and the country entered a phase of questioning its orientation in the European Union.
The upcoming elections can work the other way around, highlighting a stable party competition framework in which the country’s strategic choices are now respected. At least, be respected of the main protagonists of political life.
*George Siakas is the Research Director of Public Opinion Research Unit.
