Greece: Back to the Polls

Though 75-year-old Middle-Reader George Papandreou won November's Greek elections, his party fell short of a parliamentary majority. A few weeks later, Papandreou survived a vote of confidence, but only with the support of 28 leftist Deputies. No thanks, said the new Premier, abruptly resigning. Despite the urging of King Paul, Papandreou also refused to enter a coalition with the conservatives, whose defeated leader, Constantine Karamanlis, had disgustedly quit politics and retired (temporarily, at least) to Paris.

Instead, Papandreou demanded new elections, which he figured would result in a sweeping victory over the opposition. Spurred by the crisis over Cyprus, King Paul went along with Papandreou's strategy, which, after four governments in seven months, at least held out the hope of greater political stability. Last week the King appointed a caretaker Cabinet, dissolved Parliament, and scheduled new elections for Feb. 16. Would this bring Karamanlis back from Paris? Word from Athens quotes him as saying: "Greece must undergo a long and acute crisis before the people ask, if ever, for my return."