Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Wednesday and underlined the need for a new social contract in Europe.
In his speech the Greek PM stressed that the European Social Charter lacks an enforcement mechanism and that it is violated at times by policies of austerity and internal devaluation. He further explained that the neoliberal model of managing the crisis has demonstrably failed and fueled the beast of nationalism, fascism and far right populism.
As such, he argued, “we need more Europe, better Europe, we need a new social contract for Europe” and underlined the need for a new direction, of acting collectively and without hegemonic attitudes and obsessions, a return to the founding principles of the European Union.
Later on the Greek Prime Minister addressed the refugee crisis and noted that he intends to submit a proposal so that unaccompanied refugee children under the age of 10 who are stranded in Greece are prioritized in the EU’s relocation program. The refugee crisis, he noted, may only be tackled if Europe is united and cooperates with countries of origin and transit.
In relation to Greece, PM Tsipras highlighted the necessary for an institutional reorganization of the labor market which is already ‘too flexible’, rather than further demolishing it. He further stressed how his government has taken initiatives to defend fundamental rights in Greece.
This included reforms in the legislation on the acquisition of Greek citizenship, overpopulation in the Greek prison system, establishing a national policy monitoring mechanism and special secretariat for Roma as well as announcing the commencement of constructing a mosque and Muslim cemetery in Athens.
