Eleni Xenou
On the 17th of April 2022, I delved into the enigma of the Christodoulides phenomenon, marveling at the unprecedented surge of public adoration that preceded his formal candidacy.
Despite his association with a government widely deemed unfit for purpose, he effortlessly dominated the polls, captivating hearts and minds across the political spectrum. What mystified many was the unwavering trust placed in him even before he uttered a single political word. Was it his integrity, untainted by party politics? His gentle demeanor and modern communicative prowess?
It seemed as though fate had conspired to place the current president in the perfect moment, amidst a populace exhausted by the tumult of daily life and the toxicity of partisan squabbles.
They yearned for a savior, and in Christodoulides, they found one. Yet, as the dust settles a year into his presidency, the tide has turned. His once-unassailable popularity is on the wane, and discontent simmers beneath the surface. Recent surveys, damning in their assessment, reveal a sharp decline in public approval, with not a single minister earning a vote of confidence.
In his reflections on the 2024 governance program, Mr. Tsiridis captured the crux of the matter. Christodoulides' initial appeal as a beacon of decency and integrity now seems insufficient in the face of mounting challenges. Mere management of the Recovery Fund cannot suffice in a nation torn between inertia and revolution. Greece is no Norway; it faces a stark choice: stagnation or transformation.
To reclaim his mantle as the people's champion, Christodoulides must confront entrenched interests and recalibrate global expectations. As Tsiridis astutely observed, meeting those expectations is an ongoing struggle, especially in these tumultuous times, worlds apart from Norway's tranquil shores. It is a journey fraught with peril, but one that beckons with the promise of redemption and renewal.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
