Sir, – Could we please be clear on one crucial point regarding the likelihood of Syriza winning the upcoming Greek election? The possibility that a Syriza victory might lead to Greece exiting the euro zone (a “Grexit”) is being used as a threat to persuade voters to support the existing government, as Syriza would allegedly cause further economic disaster. The Germans are saying it; the EU is saying it; Taoiseach Enda Kenny is saying it. It seems only one party is not saying it – Syriza. Its leader, Alexis Tsipras, has consistently said that he wants to remain within the euro zone. But he also wants to redress the unnecessary hardship caused to Greece by the current austerity measures, which would mean renegotiating the terms of the bailout.
Mr Tsipras wants to assert Greek identity and self-determination. Nothing disloyal in that. The issue, as even Mr Kenny admits, is one for Greek voters, not for puppet-masters and scaremongers outside Greece who use untruths to secure a phoney result. The wider issue – whether the euro zone is stable or even valid – is not a priority with Greek voters. Charity (in Greek, philanthropy) begins in the home. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD PINE,
Perithia,
Corfu.