The positions of SYRIZA, New Democracy and our allies

Diplomats, analysts and officials from international institutions visiting Greece have a hard time understanding and assessing what in their eyes appears to be a bizarre political reality. Almost all of them mention their bewilderment at the fact that pro-European forces from across the ideological spectrum - social democrats, liberals and conservatives - often adopt a contradictory stance toward decisions taken by the government that have the approval if not ardent support of the Europeans. On the other hand, now that it is in power, the Left, which until recently was anti-systemic and anti-West, is carrying out pro-European policies that please Greece's partners.

A recent example of this paradox is the reactions to comments made by European Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici during a recent visit to Athens, where - as was expected, given his...