The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) has been rushing over the last 24 hours to meet its contradictory pledges to creditors while also ensuring that the social groups that have supported the party’s rise to power are also protected. A dangerous game of balances looks set to topple as government ministers rush to find the golden mean that would ensure a balance between divergent forces.

On the one hand, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has personally pledged that SYRIZA would respect the bailout agreement so as to avert causing the wrath of the four institutions and avoid fostering a climate of uncertainty from a clash with Greeces’s partners. On the other hand, there is a pledge to Greek people that voted for SYRIZA in two elections and the referendum in the hope that their interests would be protected and “red lines” concerning pensions be set.

The noose around the government is tightening with proposals, such as an increase of social security contributions, rejected by creditors. The matter of fiscal targets is also being discussed. The discrepancies are huge but the government has stated that it is calm and certain that the negotiation will proceed well and be completed with the first review at the start of March so that a discussion can begin on debt alleviation.

Parallel to this, internally, the government leadership is trying to give clarity to a foggy landscape with assurances to revolting social groups.