Following the snap referendum held last month, Alexis Tsipras resigned last week to force a general election on 20 September. His move came precisely after Angela Merkel managed to pass the third rescue loan for Greece in five years through a reluctant Bundestag.

In the Greek crisis, the need for honesty is of the utmost importance. However, Tsipras and Merkel have failed to admit hard truths to their voters. Politically, both leaders are far apart but a common error has brought the mercurial Mr Tsipras and the passive Ms Merkel to this point. Both have failed to confront the mistaken beliefs within their electorates about the causes of, and solutions to, the Greek crisis.

Although the Greek bailout passed through the Bundestag, Ms Merkel faced the biggest revolt yet in her Christian Democratic Union and its sister party. But she retains a huge coalition majority with a supine coalition partner and a fragmented Opposition.

Mr Tsipras's decision to call an early election may well make sense. A revolt on the far left of his shaky coalition has deprived him of a working majority. If the coming poll gives Tsipras a fresh mandate to push through the latest rescue package, it is all to the good of every Greek citizen. However, to deceive is bad, very bad. Greece has signed up to a deal it is substantially unable or unwilling to implement. Little wonder voters in both creditor and debtor countries grow more disillusioned with the iteration of the bailout.

The rescue deal has become politically toxic to its signatories. Politicians have themselves to blame and can do little but press on with the least worst option, which is to try to make the latest agreement work. In the meantime, the Greek premier is seeking to capitalize on his popularity to crush Syriza hard liners' rebellion by preparing his next trick which is a snap election.

The secret of Mr Tsipras unswervingly high ratings since he was elected the country's first radical leftwing prime minister last January lies in his willingness to confront Greece's European partners. Tsipras stood up to Germany in a way no other Greek leader has. And despite his U-turn, he is seen as having fought a good fight.

In my view, I think Mr Tsipras deserves a big round of applause. Last week he took a gamble to put not just the finances but the political economy of his country back on track. It was a courageous move and for this he deserves our admiration. We augur that he will pull off a comfortable election victory, even though he may probably miss out on a clear parliamentary majority.

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara