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The new year begins with four key bets for the government, with government officials expressing optimism that “the worst is over.”
At first it was not a pandemic. 2021 begins with the following difficult and contradictory situation, which seems to be balanced on the tightrope: on the one hand vaccinations have started, which inevitably gives a tone of optimism, and on the other, the fear of a perhaps stronger third wave it is real. This means that the government must complete a colossal project, rightly described as the largest supply chain in the country. The commitment to vaccination is huge and hides many pitfalls. From getting the system working properly to convincing people to get vaccinated. At the same time, in Maximou they are very aware that together with the “carrot” – see vaccines – they must also have the “whip” of observing the measures. If this difficult exercise takes into account the great fatigue of the population, but also the persistence of the pandemic, then it is easy to understand the difficulties that lie ahead, at least until Easter.
In direct relation to how the pandemic will develop is the bet of the economy, since its duration and intensity have a direct impact on economic planning. The government has already estimated 7.5 billion from the 2021 budget to support those affected by the coronavirus. However, given that it is a completely fluid and unprecedented situation, the challenge is great, on the one hand not to be left without a helping hand, on the other hand not to derail the budget. Let’s not forget that the economy at the end of the day always has the most catalytic role.
The Greek-Turkish is the third big problem that the government will have to deal with in 2021. At the moment we are in, the much discussed exploratory contacts are “in the air.” This is a complex issue, which has a direct impact on the domestic political scene. A possible compromise with Turkey that will not be compatible with the beliefs of ND’s conservative electoral base can create several problems.
Last but not least, the government’s bet in the new year is the continuation of the reforms. Given the problems the country faced in 2020, it may seem like a luxury, but it is not the only one. Kyriakos Mitsotakis was elected Prime Minister under the banner of reforms and, despite the fact that priorities changed due to the pandemic and the Turkish provocation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the government’s reform program will be very judgmental on his future.
Changes
At the same time, as “K” revealed during the week, the prime minister is working on changes in the government. Given that in 2021 the government will already be in the middle of its term, Mr. Mitsotakis knows that for the restart at all levels he wants a “kamikaze” government that can, given the end of the pandemic, press the accelerator. and run the government’s work. After a year and a half in power, the prime minister has a clear idea of the points that need to be corrected. An element that seems to have the first reorganization of the Mitsotakis government is its strengthening with the parliamentarians, mainly in the positions of deputy ministers. In several cases, the technocrats did not perform as expected and since they do not bring… votes, they will be replaced.
It is not ruled out, however, that the reorganization hides surprises, such as movements of even top ministers, while there will be changes in communication personnel, which is also the government’s showcase. Whether it will be radical or not, of course, is up to the prime minister, though the “blue” options, at least for front-line ministries, are limited. Finally, since it is expected that the members of the Parliamentary Group will make use of it, the so-called opening to the center-left has been completed, at least for the moment.
