Alexis Tsipras, a former Communist and committed anti-austerity cheerleader who has been compared to Harry Potter, could radically change Europe, according to British newspaper The Independent.
Tsipras, leader of SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left), was likened to JK Rowling’s fictional wizard by Greece’s current deputy prime minister, Evangelos Venizelos, for making fantastical promises that he won’t be able to keep. Venizelos said: “Tsipras promises paradise on earth without sacrifices, a return to prosperity in some sort of magical way, as if he was Harry Potter.”
Still with his family sweetheart, and still unmarried, Tsipras and partner Peristera Batziaka have been together for two decades and have two young sons. They met at school, and became members of the Communist Youth of Greece. If Tsipras assumes power on Sunday, he’ll be the first unmarried Greek prime minister – a big change for a socially conservative country. The couple even named their second son after Ernesto Che Guevara. Batziaka has been described by the Greek media as “strong-willed, militant and dynamic” as well as publicity-shy.
It’s no shock that a 40-year-old might not have too much experience as the leader of a nation, but it’s made some nervous. “Syriza’s trump card is this: he has never ruled and was not ‘in charge’ of the crisis,” Venizelos told La Stampa.
Tsipras stands out from conventional politicians. He eschews neck ties and has a more informal manner with supporters. German newspaper Der Spiegel described him as walking “up to the lectern like Elvis strutting onstage”.
Tsipras has pledged to reverse the austerity measures imposed on Greece, and many fear he will refuse to repay the €240 billion that Greece owes creditors. Tsipras has said: “Austerity is not part of the European treaties; democracy and the principle of popular sovereignty are.” Writing in the Financial Times on Wednesday, he said: “A Syriza government will respect Greece’s obligation, as a eurozone member, to maintain a balanced budget, and will commit to quantitative targets.”
Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, warned against Greece trying to haggle down the debt this week in an interview with the Irish Times: “Collective endeavours are welcome,” she said, “but at the same time a debt is a debt and it is a contract.”
His party is currently ahead in the polls. Syriza commands 35 per cent of the projected votes, well ahead of right-wing New Democracy (currently part of the governing coalition) who have 31 per cent. By promising to raise the minimum wage, give food and electricity and create 300,000 new jobs, Tsipras has become incredibly popular with struggling Greeks. Around a quarter of Greek people are unemployed, and over 200,000 Greeks have left the country since the financial crisis, which started in 2010. Since jobs were cut, prostitution had soared by 150 per cent by 2013, with some women forced to sell their bodies for just €5 a go. There’s no doubt that Tspiras’ anti-austerity promises have captured the public’s heart.