Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras launched a fierce attack against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a tour of Volos, calling him the number one factor destabilizing the country. The former prime minister questioned the way the current government manages public resources, and in an interview stated that “We have the most corrupt and unjust government this country has ever known.”
Tsipras builds the opposition pole against Mitsotakis
The ELAS leader referenced the 13th pension payment — reminding audiences that his own government had restored it, albeit partially — and indirectly explained why it was not included in this year’s Thessaloniki Programme. He linked its reinstatement to the taxation of large wealth.
He also placed particular emphasis on young people, adding that under Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s policies, “young people feel they have no dreams or prospects in this country.” The former prime minister expressed deep concern over the fact that students admitted to regional universities lack the financial means to pursue their studies. He also commented on the prime minister’s argument about stability, drawing a parallel with recent events in France.
Speaking about the 13th pension, Alexis Tsipras asked: “Do you know anyone who wouldn’t want to announce broad support for working-class people and the restoration of the austerity measures imposed in 2012 by the coalition government under Mr. Papademos, and later under Mr. Samaras, between New Democracy and PASOK?”
He then spoke with specific figures, apparently to explain that had he announced such a measure now, he would have been accused of populism and irresponsibility, as the numbers simply didn’t add up. “Greek society has already judged big, easy promises — and continues to do so. So you will not hear me making easy promises. You will hear me explain what the budget is actually capable of right now. You will not hear me say ‘The money is there,'” Tsipras stressed, adding: “No. I will tell you what the real possibilities are at this moment in terms of fiscal headroom. If we implement our plan to tax large wealth — a patriotic contribution — and secure an additional €2 billion, then yes, we will be the ones who bring back the 13th pension. We will be the ones who breathe life and support into the most vulnerable, because we have proven — I have proven — that my concern is for the weakest. That is my concern, and I have demonstrated it.”
He also recalled what had happened in the past, when his government had restored — at least partially — the 13th pension payment. “I was the one who brought back the 13th pension, but not in full. Because, to call things by their proper name, it costs €2.5 billion. I provided €1 billion — I restored part of the 13th pension. Back then it was less than €2.5 billion; now the cost has risen even further. When I did that, everyone came at me. And when Mitsotakis abolished it, pensioners were left with €7 billion less.”
The former prime minister defended his government’s record, saying: “The money we received went into the public coffers. We didn’t put it in our own pockets. We didn’t turn it into kickbacks, the way Mr. Mitsotakis’s government has.”
Only one opponent: Mitsotakis
The ELAS leader, in light of recent developments involving PASOK, reiterated that his only political opponent is Kyriakos Mitsotakis. “I respect all progressive opposition forces. Despite our significant differences — political, programmatic, and those tied to recent shared memories,” he said, and added: “Because these are things that weigh on us. Nevertheless, I believe that respecting them means I do not choose a strategy of eliminating them. Because I do not consider the other progressive forces to be my political opponents, or those of the Greek Left Alliance. My political opponent is one person: Mr. Mitsotakis. The Greek Left Alliance was created to be the alternative and opposing pole to the Right and to New Democracy.”
He noted that “this was the great void that existed in the political system over these past three years. Due to the fragmentation and effective collapse of SYRIZA’s momentum, a very large vacuum was created. It became clear that no one was able to fill it. For three years I was out of political life. It was not I who prevented anyone from filling that void. Not a single needle moved — only downward — and Mr. Mitsotakis appeared unshakeable. That was the reason I returned.”
Meanwhile, independent MP for Heraklion Haris Mamoulakis resigned yesterday and is heading toward ELAS. Also in Volos yesterday, the former prime minister met with Alexandros Meikópoulos, who according to sources is expected to resign in the coming period in order to join the party at Amalias Avenue.
