Despite the damaging and humiliating deal in which he accepted a bailout proposal that backtracks on nearly every campaign promise he made, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's political support appears alive and well, even among hundreds of protesters who stormed the streets of Athens when Parliament met to discuss and vote for this deal.

Despite the huge disappointment for the Greek people, despite the fact that Mr Tsipras made such an about-face in his negotiations with the EU and accepted a deal that offered harsher terms than before, Mr Tsipras remains solid as a rock, his popularity still unquestioned. Political analysts say that he has remained a likeable figure because the political alternatives are few.  There is no opposition and he has tremendous political capital that can help him pass any law with minimal losses.

In a certain way, Greek Prime Minister's popularity resembles that of Malta's own Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Mr Muscat is still very popular and enjoys strong support of the majority of Maltese citizens. Despite his lacklustre performance in running the government, the last few months especially, have witnessed a succession of half baked initiatives verging on corruption. The extraordinary property expropriation payment to Mr Mark Gaffarena and his apparent close friendship with Dr Michael Falzon, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning, the Cafe Premier's nasty deal, Australia Hall and the government guarantee of 88 million to the private company Electrogas for the construction of a new power station will surely take their toll in a few years' time. But in the meantime, Dr Muscat is safe and sound.

Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition is not all that impressive and this is making it an easy ride to another triumph at the polls for Dr Muscat and the Labour Movement.

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara