Greece: Royal Dilemma

Rising to demand a vote of confidence in Parliament last week, Greek Premier George Anthanassiadis-Novas quoted the author of The Frogs, to describe the man who sought to destroy him. Ex-Premier George Papandreou, said Novas, in the words of Aristophanes, was just another demagogue apt for "rousing the mob and terrorizing those who hold contrary opinions." The chorus of frogs was provided by 145 Deputies of Papandreou's (and Novas') Center Union Party, who, instead of croaking brekeke-kex-koax-koax, hooted "Judas!" and "Traitor!" at Novas and his ministers. At the end of the debate, they voted the Novas government out of existence.

Papandreou himself appeared in Parliament exactly once: to shout a triumphant ohi (no) when his name was called in the roll on the vote of confidence, then stalk out dramatically, leaving the chamber behind in cacaphonic chaos. To win his majority, since 24 Center Union Deputies backed Novas, Papandreou needed, and got, the support of 22 EDA (proCommunist) deputies, to add to the 145 votes of Center Unionists who had remained loyally behind their stubborn old leader. Young King Constantine was on the spot, and he had no choice but to talk things over with Papandreou next day. After a 75-minute conference, Papandreou emerged to say only that "I have asked the King to give me the mandate to form a new government. In case that request is not accepted, I have suggested elections within the constitutional limit [45 days]."