Easter has past and we’re now into Greek election season. It, too, is a time for prayer, for these
elections more so than any in recent memory risk a special form of Calvary for
the Greek electorate. They are not
national elections, but local, called to coincide with elections for Greece’s representatives
to the European Parliament. But they
stand to measure the grass roots faith of the Greek people in the fragile
progress of their nation’s journey through its financial crisis.
This vote will gauge whether selfish interests outweigh the
common cause, old corrupt ways still trump free and open opportunity, and the
hate monger has increased its influence among the disenchanted and apathetic.
I’m not going to name parties, the Greeks know who they are
and non-Greeks won’t likely remember. Nor
am I going to mention candidates. My best friend is running for mayor of
Mykonos and I obviously support him, but beyond that what is there to say? Once
again the Mykonians know the truth, it’s up to them to decide their own fate.
 |
| The top floor office in that terra cotta roof building is what it's all about. |
I plan to be in the middle of it, watching it all unfold,
perhaps gathering fodder for a new book among the inevitable intrigues,
heart-crossed promises, and double-crossed hearts of bare knuckle local
politics in all it’s gory glory. It’s a
drama playing out across all of Greece.
But it’s not a game.
There is a lot at stake here: The future of a country I
deeply care about.
The national ruling coalition claims that current financial
news shows real economic progress. The opposition disputes that. On Sunday, May 18, voters have their first electoral
chance in two years to express what they believe to be the truth. That’s the
date of the first round of local elections.
If a run-off election is required in any race, that second vote will
take place on May 25, when Greeks get to elect their delegates to the European
Parliament.
National elections need not be held before 2016, but
depending on how those May elections turn out, all that could change.
We shall see.
And pray.
Jeff—Saturday
Posts
Strange how elections - in both our countries - seem to be about far deeper issues than who is elected. It's almost as if the candidates disguise those real issues.
ReplyDeleteOR present emotion-charged positions they know will rally their base's support while all else they have in mind is antithetical to the overall health and well-being of that very electorate. Perhaps, Michael, that quote by Abraham Lincoln ending with "you cannot fool all of the people all of the time," should be revisited?
DeleteHi Jeff - there are two other elections in the world this spring - the very exciting municipal elections in Iceland - hot topics include free daycare for all children and whether or not to move the domestic airport out of downtown Reykjavík. The other elections that are of immense importance are the Eurovision votes to be cast on May 10th. In this election there is blatant blcok voting but it is all immensed in glimmer and sequence so nobody cares. Except the UK - they seem to have very little luck - or possibly no block behind them.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, Yrsa, Eurovision, grand theater that ignites parochial passions almost as much as the European cup, though with better costumes. How could Greece...uhh, make that Europe...function without it? Perhaps the reason the UK feels on the outs over Euro-vision, is simply because it has none. :)
ReplyDeletePraying for the Greek people, and I hope your friend becomes mayor. Do you get to vote as an honorary citizen? Wish you could?
ReplyDeleteI just get to complain, Lil, which makes me truly Greek :)
DeleteDon't forget the Scotland referendum. I guess I'd be voting Yes after Caro's last post...
ReplyDeleteWho would dare disagree with Caro? Certainly not I, Michael.
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