Greek Socialist Leader Calls for Elections in Wake of Riots

George Papandreou, the leader of Greece's opposition Socialist Party, is calling for immediate elections in the wake of the riots in Greece which are now in their fourth day.

It is incumbent upon the Karamanlis government to restore order. However, by calling for early elections Papandreou is asking for the behavior of the rioters to be rewarded. This is the height of irresponsibility. Elections aren't scheduled until 2010.

It is tragic a boy was killed but a police officer has been charged with his murder and an investigation will follow. Aside from restoring law and order what more is the Karamanlis government to do?

If the name Papandreou sounds familiar it should be. His father, Andreas Papandreou, was Prime Minister of Greece from 1981 to 1989 and again from 1993 to 1996. The elder Papandreou was known for his anti-Americanism supporting Soviet repression in Poland in the early 1980s and was a fervent supporter of the late PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat.