The President of SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras underlined the need for a strong mandate in order to continue the effort of the left government that rose to power in the January election, while arguing that the dilemma for these elections is whether SYRIZA will govern, or New Democracy with the “sins of the past”.
Mr. Tsipras made the comments in the press conference he gave at the Thessaloniki International Fair where he outlined his political plans. The SYRIZA leader defended the bailout agreement, noting that his cabinet negotiated hard to achieve the best possible solution and explained that the next step will be to address the non-sustainability of the public debt.
He admitted that the bailout agreement was worse than what he was hoping for, but countered that if Antonis Samaras and Evangelos Venizelos remained in power, then it would be even worse.
Regarding the possibility of a coalition with New Democracy, Mr. Tsipras argued that there were many differences between the two parties, adding that it is an “oxymoron” for ND’s provisional leader Evangelos Meimarakis to call him a “liar” and a “bum” and then claim to want to cooperate. He also disputed the allegation that the six months when his party was in power was to blame for all the problems.
When asked whether he would cooperate with PASOK or the River, he noted that his goal is to form an independent government and stressed that has no intention of compromising with the old political parties. He also stated that if his party comes second, he will continue to defend his ideas and principles.
On the critical refugee crisis in Greece, Mr. Tsipras commented that it is “shameful” for dead children to wash up on the Mediterranean shores and underlined that the caretaker Migration Minister Mr. Mouzalas was taking advantage of the steps made by his predecessor in the SYRIZA cabinet Tasia Christodoulopoulou.
