The president of ELAS, Alexis Tsipras, is set to clarify the ambiguous points of the program he announced last Wednesday at tomorrow’s press conference in Thessaloniki, held in the context of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF). According to sources, the former prime minister will also elaborate on the stakes of a potential second election, stating that “scenarios of a government of the defeated” have nothing to do with ELAS. Close associates have indicated that Tsipras himself has made it clear that his party was founded to fill a significant gap in the progressive political spectrum — and for that reason, he has no intention of cooperating with political forces that have already run their course.
Nevertheless, he will press on with the theme of political change, stating that, in the event of a first-place finish, and without compromising the core principles and platform of his party, he will explore the possibility of forming a government. If that proves impossible, a second round of elections is the only path forward in order to secure a “clear mandate for a clear solution.”
Tsipras’s bet on centrist voters
The same associates refrain from commenting on the reasons why the prime minister has chosen Alexis Tsipras as his primary political opponent, focusing instead on how they plan to appeal to centrist voters — who will ultimately decide the outcome of the election.
The attack on Mitsotakis
Tsipras will also defend ELAS’s program and clarify issues that have dominated the news cycle. It is telling that yesterday, in response to the prime minister’s announcements, ELAS officials stated that “Mr. Mitsotakis has ignored, for the eighth consecutive year, the cost of living crisis, profiteering, and cartels in energy, supermarkets, and banking — offering nothing but empty promises of political arrogance and deception about the future.” They added: “For New Democracy and Mr. Mitsotakis, tackling the cost of living crisis seems to be a post-dated appointment.”
1. Regarding private sector workers: The government’s intervention on a minimum wage of €1,000 — set to take effect in 2028, well after the elections and 15 months from now — is considered weak. There is no discussion of strengthening collective labor agreements or reinforcing labor inspection mechanisms. One must wonder: which of the 600,000 workers actually has the ability to save €100 per month in the new government “piggy bank” being planned?
ELAS proposes a minimum wage of €1,000 from 2027 — one year earlier — along with significant tax relief primarily for working parents. It also proposes the restoration of collective bargaining and strengthened labor inspections. Under New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek workers will continue to be the poorest in Europe (Eurostat), comparable in purchasing power only to Bulgaria. ELAS proposes converging with European wage standards, while Mr. Mitsotakis essentially proposes that Greece “stay at Bulgaria’s level.”
2. Regarding pensioners: The pension increases announced by Mr. Mitsotakis from January 1, 2027 have already been legislated and cannot be presented as a new benefit. They clearly fall short of inflation — estimated at 2.4%, while inflation is projected to close 2026 at around 3%. The increase of the November supplement for pensioners from €300 to €400 does not apply to all pensioners, as it is subject to age (65 years) and family criteria (widows/widowers under 60 are excluded). As a result, over 300,000 pensioners are left out. An extra €8 per month — or €0.26 per day — is the very definition of mockery when it comes to pensioners.
ELAS proposes eliminating prescription co-payments for insured individuals and pensioners, with savings of up to €720 per year, alongside targeted care and welfare policies for the elderly.
3. Regarding public sector employees: The already-legislated pay increases for civil servants in 2027 do not constitute new benefits. The €500 bonus amounts to a gross increase of just €41.60 per month for a newly appointed teacher, nurse, or doctor. The applause Mr. Mitsotakis expects from teachers, doctors, and nurses — who fight daily for the lives and education of our children — comes at a rather steep price for what is being offered.
ELAS proposes annual salary increases of up to €6,000 for teachers, nurses, and doctors through a dedicated pay scale, along with significant tax relief for civil servants with children.
4. Regarding persons with disabilities: Even if belatedly, the government is moving forward with the inflation-indexing of disability benefits. However, no initiative has been taken to address the technical errors in OPEKA payments, delays in approvals through KEPA, underpayments due to miscalculations, or difficulties in submitting electronic applications. ELAS and Alexis Tsipras, on September 2, 2026, presented in Thessaloniki a comprehensive and coherent plan of “defense and prospects” for society — in stark contrast to the failed recipe of austerity, corruption, and plunder announced by Mr. Mitsotakis.
