The leader of the opposition Alexis Tsipras revealed his intentions and hopes in relation to the upcoming local government and European parliament elections in Greece in May.

Mr Tsipras said – in an interview to the weekly print edition of the newspaper To Vima last week – that should he win the next general elections, whenever that might be called, he does not intend to form a government comprised entirely of SYRIZA members, but would pursue the participation of political figures and personalities outside his own left wing party.

Mr Tsipras appeared confident that his party will not only win in general elections, but that SYRIZA would also be able to form a government on its own right, without having to form a coalition with any of the other parties. At the heart of Mr Tsipras’ government would be individuals who are able and honest, he said.
A top priority for the leader of the opposition if elected prime minister would be the implementation of a plan to protect vulnerable social groups and ensure them free access to healthcare and welfare services. SYRIZA’s leader also vowed to end the austerity by reinstating the minimum wage and by carrying out various legislative initiatives in order to support small businesses, the agricultural sector and the self-employed.

The SYRIZA leader believes that Greece will be in the position to negotiate with its European partners for even better terms for its bailout programs, as the country will play an important role in the energy sector.

Mr Tsipras was critical of Prime Minister Samaras’ claims that the coalition government’s austerity plans are successful and that Greece is exiting the crisis. He noted that “Greece is a country slowly dying” and cited the 350,000 Greek university graduates having emigrated, the 1.5 million unemployed and 3 million people without access to health care and insurance.

The opposition leader also disputed the extent of the primary surplus, considering it an “accounting” trick that conveniently does not include, for example, the 1.5 billion euros that the state owes to taxpayers.

Almost all of the recent polls that are conducted in Greece, in view of the local government and European parliament elections in the second half of May, give SYRIZA a lead against the majority government party of New Democracy. This lead though does not ensure a SYRIZA majority in the 300 seat Greek parliament.
Source: tovima