Editorial: ‘Power reveals the mettle of a man’

Ever since he won New Democracy's leadership contest, many harboured reservations and suspicion of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Historical, political, and ideological syndromes led many to doubt him.

Many did not believe that the liberal and cosmopolitan scion of a powerful but controversial political family could shed his familial baggage and display his;L leadership qualities, gifts, and abilities to become undisputed and accepted by the majority.

In fact, he showed his mettle from the moment he was elected leader and took control of Greece's conservative party.

He exhibited professionalism and worked tirelessly, methodically, and responsibly to restructure a party badly bruised by the economic crisis.

At the same time, without concealing his convictions and perception of things, he prepared his campaign in a systematic and organised manner and readied himself for the challenges of governance.

That preparation immediately became evident after he won the July, 2019, general election and assumed office.

The prime minister and his party had already hammered out a comprehensive policy programme.

Professionalism and organisation, however, did not suffice to dispel the lingering cloud of suspicion.

The prime minister was judged for his leadership abilities and won the true respect of the majority of the citizenry when he was confronted with singular and unforeseen crises.

In the crisis manufactured by Greece's hostile neighgbour  at the Greek-Turkish border in Evros  he demonstrated unswerving decisiveness in guarding Greece's borders and he boldly communicated to Greece's partners and internationally that he will under no circumstances back down.

In managing the effects of the Coronavirus...

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