Chapter 198 Italo-Turkish War

Looking at the sad-looking Kontoriotis, Constantine didn't know how to comfort him. Although the Italian army was not worth mentioning, the Italian navy was indeed at the level of a real great power. Greece's The navy is no longer on the same level.

"Since the war between Italy and Ottoman Turkey is imminent, Greece should be prepared to respond. Prime Minister Alexandros and government departments will inform the people of this news. In addition, in order to ensure Greece's food security, the new The established grain reserve department must ensure that sufficient grain is stored, and Italian military operations will definitely affect shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean," Constantine reminded Alexandros.

After the meeting, everyone left the conference room one after another. Except for Constantine, King George, and Prime Minister Alexandros, they stayed in their places.

Seeing that the conference room had become quiet again, Alexandros calmed down his agitated mood and said to King George: "Your Majesty, it has been more than ten years since I served as Prime Minister in 1897. By the grace of Your Majesty, As well as the unremitting efforts of the people, Greece’s economic development has been stable in recent years.”

Speaking of which, Prime Minister Alexandros' voice became hoarse and choked with sobs: "In recent years, when dealing with official duties, I have often felt weak in energy, probably due to my advanced age."

Hearing what the old prime minister said, Constantine couldn't help but look carefully, and saw that the prime minister was indeed old: his hair was gray, his face was covered with wrinkles, and his back was a little stooped.

Constantine thought to himself: This prime minister is already 72 years old!

"The recent development of the situation in Europe has made it very difficult for me, a person who has no experience in diplomacy. If nothing happens, Europe will go through a period of turmoil. I have neither the energy nor the ability to continue to lead Greece to deal with this situation." It’s a turmoil”

After saying this, Alexandros felt relieved and could be freed from the burden of the government affairs of a country.

“What Greece needs is a new prime minister who can deal with the chaos”

Alexandros has been in office for more than ten years. Whether it is from Greece's domestic political and economic considerations or from the international situation, Greece should indeed have a new prime minister.

"Prime Minister Alexandros has outstanding political achievements. During his tenure, Greece's domestic economy has developed rapidly and its politics has been stable. Your contribution, Prime Minister, is well known to the Greek people." King George praised him, but he did not pretend to shirk his retention.

Unlike other periods, probably due to the smooth economic development of Greece, Prime Minister Alexandros, who successfully implemented reforms, has been firmly on the throne of Prime Minister for more than ten years, effectively ensuring the long-term continuation of Greek policies.

Before this, the Greek political arena had always been known for its frequent changes of prime ministers. The term of office was only one or two years, and the short term might only be dozens of days.

"Prime Minister Alexandros, who do you think should be more appropriate to take over the position of prime minister?" Constantine asked.

Although Constantine himself was more optimistic about Venizelos, Constantine's confidence in Venizelos came more from the deeds of this man in the original history. Although during contacts and inspections, this man's performance in diplomacy and He was indeed talented in politics, but Constantine did not dare to say for sure whether he was suitable to lead Greece during the great chaos in Europe.

"Venizelos would be perfect," Alexandros said without hesitation.

King George said calmly: "Can you tell me the reason?"

"First of all, Venizelos is very prestigious in the Liberal Party of Parliament. Greek parliamentarians will not object to him serving as the new prime minister; secondly, Venizelos is good at diplomacy and has a keen observation of the international situation. In the coming period, Greece really needs someone who is proficient in diplomacy to help Greece unite among European countries and obtain the best interests. Greece has never needed a diplomat prime minister as it does now." Alexandris said without hesitation.

Although he doesn't say it, in fact, Alexandros is very proud of his ability to serve as prime minister for more than ten years, implement economic and political reforms, and allow Greece to develop long-term, stable and rapid.

During his tenure, Alexandros basically paid off the huge foreign debt left by his predecessor (Trikoupis) who invested heavily in infrastructure construction. Greece's finances have made great progress and climbed year by year.

Alexandros would naturally prefer to see Greece, which he had worked on for more than ten years, be handed over to a capable helmsman.

Although according to the current rules of the game in Greek politics, the Greek prime minister is elected by the parliament, the influence of the royal family on the selection of the prime minister is unquestionable. Even if the influence of the royal family in the parliament is not mentioned, according to the constitution, the king himself has the right to forcibly appoint the prime minister.

In addition, Crown Prince Constantine led the Greek army to defeat the Ottomans in the last war. The royal family has unprecedented prestige in Greece. Both the parliament and the people respect the royal family very much.

Seeing Alexandros' lonely back disappearing at the door, King George faced Constantine and sighed: "The storm is coming, and Greece needs a strong prime minister at this time. Since Alexandros also recommended Pooh Zelos, I think he will be the next prime minister."

On June 28, 1911, after the election of the Greek Parliament, Venizelos, the former Greek Foreign Minister and a member of the Liberal Party, was elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece.

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The Italian government was facing an unprecedented opportunity - the major European powers were caught in sharp contradictions, and the crisis struggle between Britain, France and Germany caused by the Moroccan issue was fierce, and they were impatient.

Since Italy was unified in 1861, after decades of development, it has a strong desire for colonial expansion, especially for North Africa across the Mediterranean Sea.

In order to prepare for the annexation of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, Italy continued to immigrate and send merchants to the two places from 1880 to 1911, buying land and actively expanding its influence;

It sent naval officers to change into fishermen's clothes and conduct coastal surveys in the name of fishing for sponges along the coast of Tripolitania; it instructed Italian Catholic priests to go deep into the interior to collect intelligence in the name of missionary work.

Italy learned the lesson of its failure in Ethiopia in 1896 and constantly spied on choosing opportunities.

After the Second Moroccan Crisis, Italy thought that if it did not act, it might lose the opportunity. So it took the excuse that Italians in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were treated unfairly and took the initiative to occupy Libya before Turkey sent troops to North Africa.

On September 28, 1911, the Greek ambassador to Rome informed Athens that Italy had issued an ultimatum to the Ottoman Empire, demanding that the Ottoman Empire recognize Libya as Italian territory.

Since then, European countries have no longer focused on the Moroccan crisis, but on the territorial conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire.