The inconsistencies in the SYRIZA party are coming to the fore as the leftist government comes face to face with reality.

The officials who are responsible for drawing up economic policy are well aware of the huge risks that will come from failing to achieve an agreement with the country’s international creditors and are trying to put together a reasonable and honest compromise.

Nevertheless, there are those within the radical left party who oppose such a compromise and would rather see the government in a head-on collision with the lenders, whatever this may entail for the country. Large-scale privatizations are one of the fronts where this is most apparent.

It’s a difficult predicament for Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to be in as he walks the fine line between the supporters of realism and chaos.

His biggest challenge now is to adopt the most reasonable approach to negotiations while also imposing his will on his party and on the government.