Editorial: From trauma to a fiasco

According to Murphy's Law, "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."

That adage appears to be haunting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government over the past weeks.

The catastrophic August wildfires revealed dysfunctions and deficiencies, and insufficient preparation for managing the threats that arise during hot Mediterranean summers. Undoubtedly, they left behind a gaping wound, seriously dented the image of the New Democracy government, and placed enormous political pressure on the PM.

That led him to announce a cabinet reshuffle with the clear aim of apportioning responsibility, placating the anger, and limiting the negative impressions stirred in public opinion.

However, it is clear that events moved rapidly in a climate of tensions and panic regarding the political damage caused. Decisions were not taken in a clear-minded fashion.

The evaluation of potential candidates for a ministerial post was undermined by previous impressions or by other objectives that motivated those who recommended or prompted the changes.

That is the only explanation for the series of changes in the government and for the PM's decision to tap Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis (a former SYRIZA defence minister) to serve as the first minister in the newly-founded Civil Protection Ministry.

As well-meaning as they may have been, those who nominated Apostolakis, a div linked to main opposition SYRIZA, should have ensured the full [bi-partisan] acceptance of his appointment in advance.

In any event, this abortive appointment and the ensuing botched damage control created an unprecedented fiasco, left the PM even more exposed, and shook citizens' trust in the government.

Meanwhile, the replacement and transfers of ministers...