The miracle

Politics is, as they say, the art of the possible. Nevertheless, sometimes politicians turn their backs on the attainable, especially if it does not help them politically and gives points to their opponents.

For the first time in decades there is a formula on the table for the Parthenon Marbles that Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, sawed off from the Parthenon, to finally return to Greece. The British government, pressured by public opinion that favors the return of the marbles, is looking for a way to satisfy public sentiment in Britain without, however, accepting that this ancient treasure belongs to Greece. Such a thing would set a precedent for emptying most British museums.

Normally, such an opportunity - which is one in a million - would be enough for the government and the opposition to seize it immediately, putting the national interest first. But we are in a...