Antoniou government faces tough four years
Maria Alexipoulos
28 February 2015 ELAIA - Dimitrious Antoniou may not have had quite the victory he was hoping for in this month's parliamentary elections. Going to the polls, the government was optimistic for an increased majority that would provide a strong mandate for their second term policy agenda. However, it became clear the government had not made up the ground that it may have hoped for. Antoniou's Progressives with be returned to the next Representative Assembly with 77 seats, an increase of 15 from the 2011 result, making them the largest party. The Convergence Party increased their total to 71 after their collapse in 2011. However, the trouble for Antoniou is that the Progressive-Convergence coalition that he was planning for does not reach a majority in the Assembly. To reach this an continue in government he needs the support of the Liberals for a second-term running, a coalition partner he was hoping to shake this election. He has been sucessful in removing Labour from his list of coalition partners, the source of much pain to the previous government, with a lack of support for cuts to regional rail services nearly stalling last year's budget. The Liberals, along with the newly emboldened Convergence Party will be looking to force more policy concessions from an increasingly precarious Antoniou government. The Liberals in particular have called for partial liberalisation of the agricultural and personal banking sectors, something that is political poison for the Progressives. Antoniou also risks being drowned out by the election of Progressive President Tryfon Iordanou last year. After several years of cohabitation where the cabinet enjoyed the ability to set their agenda and then place the onus on the Labour Party to pass it or risk being punished by the electorate for obstruction. In contrast, Iordanou campaigned on active policy and enjoys massive support from within his party and the public. Antoniou may find that he is shut out of important policy direction in the upcoming administration, in favour of the bright new Executive Council that reflects the diverse nature of Aetolia today. Antoniou may find himself in a position where he has no option but to implement the executive's policy or face the pushback from the public. While the Prime Minister enjoyed sky-high popularity ratings during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister and then maintaining these levels reasonably well through his first term as Prime Minister, the polls now show that he is becoming overshadowed by the charismatic Iordanou. Sources from within the party say that many are frustrated with Antoniou's inability to improve his majority despite widespread public support for Progressive policies and the President. It is expected by some that this will be his last election and the rising star Finance Minister Thad Zervas is expected to be a contender to take his place as leader. |