SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras recently gave an interview to Italian newspaper La Stampa where he stressed that Greece primarily needs a recovery plan that is not based on austerity, while arguing that his party’s goal not to deconstruct the EU, but rather to change it.
Mr. Tsipras noted that a European summit is necessary in order to discuss the debt of Greece and other European countries, “like the one in London, in 1953” when it was decided that the cost of Germany’s reconstruction was excessive.
The Greek opposition leader argued that the recovery of the debt-ridden countries of the European south cannot be independent of growth; according to his plan, his “new European deal” will include loan repayment clause which would be dependant on growth so that “if the GDP is positive, we will pay, if it is not, then we won’t”.
When asked about his relationship with Italian politics, Mr. Tsipras explained that he does not share Beppe Grillo’s political positions and argued that “European problems need European solutions”. Regarding the upcoming elections for the European Parliament, Mr. Tsipras predicted that the Left would dominate over the “various voices of populism and extremism”.
Mr. Tsipras addressed the accusations that his party’s goal is the deconstruction of the EU, by claiming that his party is “more European” than the conservative European parties which “destroyed the concept of solidarity and divided the people”. Mr. Tsipras argued that “trying to understand the people is not populism, but on the contrary, anyone covering the crisis is a demagogue”.
Finally, the Greek opposition leader estimated that Golden Dawn “must be dealt with politically” and asserted that “banning them is not such a good idea” as such an event might end up increasing the ultranationalist party’s influence and appeal.
