Galery

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In normal conditions the discussion on the serious problems of the Greek economy that is presented below and which took place during a meeting in the Prime Minister's residence Maximou would be funny and amusing. But the fact is that, for the first time, a conversation about ties is politicized, creating opposing fronts.

According to reliable sources referred to by the Greek daily Kathimerini, a leading minister had raised the issue of dress code of Greek cabinet members in Greece and abroad before other important issues. The occasion was a scandal associated with Deputy Minister of Administrative Reform George Katrougalos and his "stylistic and noble position that annoyed many comrades," as the minister had indicated.

The same senior government representative whose opinion has weight in the process of decision making, had directly stated that the insistent refusal on the part of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to wear a tie and the clear message of this choice were hampering the negotiations with the creditors. "You know, Alexis, these conservatives make a mountain out of a molehill. Perhaps it would be better to ‘overtake’ them from the left by wearing ties and thus to show that we are to achieve a fair compromise?" he said.

Another minister who is described as "a man with a long history in the movement of the Greek Left" intervened at this point, referring to the turtleneck sweater of PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou, "which meant so much for the Greek people." He however added, "When Papandreou took power he put this sweater in the wardrobe with naphthalene." One of the younger cabinet members replied to this comment, "He was elected while he was wearing the turtleneck sweater but for so many years he ruled wearing a tie..."

A senior minister who enjoys great popularity among the majority of Greek society immediately took the floor. He put things on a more rational basis. "Alexis, the question may seem unimportant but some comrades accuse of revisionism those of us who wear ties for purely personal and aesthetic reasons. This is unacceptable! Let us not split on ties. The others who like ties and I myself will wear them and appeal that the comrades have no scruples..."

And here is a sensation. Another minister who is familiar with the mores in the hallways of European institutions in Brussels revealed the "veiled" mission of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, when he gave his coeval Alexis Tsipras a luxury tie. The Minister appealed to the Greek Prime Minister, saying, "Chairman, this was a symbolic gesture but through it Matteo forwarded to you a message from the "hard" members of the euro zone. Wear a tie. Institutions do not want much. Put some water in your wine and we will be able to reach a consensus..."

At first, Alexis Tsipras was surprised but then he said with a touch of humour in his voice, "Ties for the interior of Greece, ties abroad, clothes and policy. Boys, let us discuss it in the parliamentary group. And organize a vote if necessary..." but not all of those who were present at the meeting laughed at his words.

The article appeared on the website of Kathimerini today, 1 April. It is not excluded that it is an April Fool’s Day joke but in any case, it souds very authentic.