"Blame Me"

Anecdote, repeated in Soderbergh's Traffic, tells of the day Khruschev had to leave power to the new Soviet leader. He met the new man in his office, left him two letters and said: "Whenever you find yourself in trouble, follow the instructions in the letters". Few years later, new man in charge found himself in trouble. He went to his office and opened first letter. The letter said: "Blame me". The man did just that and remained in power. Few more years passed and new trouble came. The new man went back to his office and opened another letter. The letter said: "Start writing two letters".

I'm reminded of this anecdote when I hear news of Sanader's government deciding not to implement its recently passed legislation and slash VAT from 22% to 20%. Lowering VAT rate was one of Sanader's most attractive elections promises and Sanader tried to build his post-election credibility on the most immediate and uncompromising implementation of the promise. But, few months and few discussions with IMF officials later, Sanader apparently had a change of mind and announced that VAT would remain at 22%.

As a part of damage control, Sanader also began to lambaste Račan's (Racan's) government for "creating mess of state finances" and thus suggesting that all the reforms, all the tax reduction and the return of welfare benefits to mothers, veterans etc. are going to be scrapped.

Sanader's government is currently at "Blame Me" stage and would remain there for a long time.