Speaking in measured tones and carefully choosing his words in response to every question, Alexis Tsipras used his press conference on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) to reach out to moderate voters — people who in the past viewed the former prime minister’s political project with fear and skepticism. The leader of ELAS (Greek Solution for the Left) addressed a wide range of issues, from elections and the economy to potential political alliances, independent MPs seeking to join his party, and relations with PASOK.
He launched a particularly fierce attack against Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the wiretapping scandal, even mocking the former head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Grigoris Dimitriadis, for his statement that he “took the bullet” to protect the prime minister in the surveillance affair — wishing Mitsotakis himself a speedy resolution of his troubles.
Tsipras: “There was no prospect of defeating Mitsotakis — if there had been, I would have written a second book”
Carefully avoiding any specific polling figure at which ELAS would be able to challenge Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s dominance, the former prime minister outlined his core political objective: the strategic and political defeat of the current government.
When asked by Parapolitika whether 17–18% represented the ceiling for his party, Tsipras stated that his return to the political frontline was never about hitting a particular percentage.
“I did not return to center stage for a poll rating,” he stressed, arguing that there was a need to “restore balance” to the political system and rebuild a credible prospect of alternative governance. “There was no prospect of defeating Mr. Mitsotakis. If there had been, I would have written a second book,” he said pointedly.
The ELAS leader set the defeat of the current government at the next election as his central political goal. “My objective is the strategic defeat of this government, and I will do everything in my power to achieve it,” he said, adding that reaching this goal “lies in the hands of the Greek people.”
Asked what he would do if the next election failed to produce a majority government, he replied: “If we receive the first exploratory mandate, we will exhaust every possibility of forming a government on the basis of a program for policy change. If that doesn’t happen, we will go to a second election, which is not the end of the world.”
Tsipras: “Prime ministers are chosen by the people, not by backroom deals — PASOK is not our adversary, the Right is”
On the possibility of a governing coalition between ELAS and PASOK, and on the scenario of a mutually agreed prime ministerial candidate, Alexis Tsipras made clear that the person who leads a government cannot be the product of behind-the-scenes negotiations.
“Prime ministers are chosen by the people, not by backroom deals. Who becomes prime minister will be decided by the people through their vote,” he emphasized.
Speaking specifically about PASOK, the ELAS leader sought to lower the temperature between the two parties, drawing a distinction between political competition and outright rivalry. “We are not adversaries of PASOK — we are competitors. Our adversary is the Right, it is Mr. Mitsotakis,” he said.
At the same time, he took a swipe at certain PASOK figures, arguing that escalating tensions within the progressive opposition only serves the prime minister. “Some figures — I don’t know whether they are coordinating with Mr. Mitsotakis, but they are certainly serving his strategy by ratcheting up extreme rhetoric,” he said.
What he said about the “patriotic levy”
The ELAS leader also moved to clarify the murkier aspects of his party’s program, beginning with the issue of a national wealth registry — a topic that has generated considerable debate in recent months. Tsipras pointed out that it is unacceptable for Greece to lack such a registry, noting that this conversation has already begun in all advanced economies. He further highlighted that the wealthiest 1% hold 46% of all bank deposits in the country.
He went on to explain the philosophy behind the so-called “patriotic levy” and the wealth registry, noting that accumulated wealth far exceeds what is declared as income, and that any attempt to increase taxation on the very wealthy invariably meets with resistance. He cited examples from abroad, including initiatives by millionaires who have themselves called for higher taxation, referencing the British “Proud to Pay More” movement and former footballer Gary Lineker.
“I would be delighted to see something similar here. But I am outraged because I see the exact opposite,” he said, taking a veiled shot at the government and adding that “the wealth registry may well end up documenting the sudden surge in wealth among government officials.”
On the distribution of wealth, he acknowledged that the precise total held by the richest 1% is not known with certainty, noting that estimates range from €200 billion to €350 billion. He cited Bank of Greece data, according to which “the top 1% of depositors hold 46% of all deposits in the country.” “Our affluent compatriots do not feel the need to support the country’s future,” he remarked.
As he previewed, the plan is to create a dedicated fund into which revenues from the levy would be directed, with a clear purpose: “For the future of this country. So that our children stay here.”
On ELAS party finances
The ELAS leader also addressed questions about his party’s finances, maintaining that its events are low-cost affairs, and that all expenditure to date has been fully lawful. He announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign from next week, with revenues to be disclosed in real time.
“We are a three-month-old party. Our only expenses are low-cost events. We don’t even have central offices,” he said, explaining that funds used so far have come from party members themselves.
Tsipras also criticized the government’s costing of ELAS’s program. “The government’s attempt to put a €13 billion price tag on our program looked like a painting — and a surrealist one at that. Our program is consistent with existing fiscal frameworks and constraints. Everything else is the product of a diseased imagination. They are neither ignorant nor incompetent — they are doing it deliberately.”
Alexis Tsipras: What he said about the 13th pension payment
The former prime minister also responded to questions about why his proposals did not include the restoration of the 13th pension payment. “The partial restoration of the 13th pension was carried out by my own government in 2019 and was voted for by Mr. Mitsotakis. And the moment he was elected prime minister, one of his first decisions was to abolish it,” he said, arguing that Kyriakos Mitsotakis “has deprived pensioners of more than €7 billion over these past seven years.”
The ELAS leader explained that the current program reflects a different allocation of available fiscal space, with one of the key interventions being the abolition of prescription co-payments. He also linked this choice to the very different economic conditions prevailing today. As he noted, in 2019 there was no such burden on households from housing costs, supermarket price inflation, and high electricity bills.
“Today, prioritizing the needs of active members of society — the children and grandchildren of pensioners — is a far more left-wing policy,” he argued.
He stopped short of committing to a full restoration of the 13th pension at this stage, but gave a clear signal about his next steps: “When we manage to expand fiscal space — and I believe we will — through the interventions we have already announced, I can assure you that our priority will be boosting pension payments.”
Tsipras reiterated that his party’s doors are open to everyone — but not to sitting MPs from other parties — and, addressing the diversity of voices within his party, stressed that there is a difference between making occasional mistakes and pursuing personal agendas.
