Before They Were Rivals, Greece’s Political Leaders Were Friends

The roller coaster that is Greek politics continued Wednesday. Talks between the three main political parties forming the new unity government remained deadlocked. The most dramatic moment came when Giorgios Karatzaferis, leader of the smallest party walked out of negotiations. He told reporters it was sad that games were taking place between outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou and opposition leader Antonis Samaras. The two men are known to be bitter rivals – but it wasn’t always this way. Philip Tsiaras, an international artist of Greek origin, knew both Papandreou and Samaras when they were all friends studying at Amherst College in Massachusetts together.