On the occasion of the seventh anniversary of Greece’s exit from the Memorandums, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras He interviewed the French newspaper Le Monde, revealing his “truth” for the critical period of 2015 and criticizing the current government.
The crisis in 2015 and the referendum
Mr Tsipras said that Greece was led to the crisis due to the dysfunctional productive model, generalized corruption and customer state. He likened the exit from the Memorandums in 2018 to Odysseus’ return to Ithaca, but argued that the New Democracy government did not take advantage of the opportunities that emerged.
He announced that he is writing a book, which will be published by the end of the year, with the aim of correcting some “myths” circulating for 2015. He argued that the 2015 referendum was a “dramatization” move to achieve concessions by creditors, which he said. He proudly expressed his choice, stressing that thanks to this Greece is today a normal country, without international surveillance.
Criticism to Government and social inequality
The former prime minister has criticized the Mitsotakis government, saying that generalized corruption has come back, with a typical example being the scandal of European agricultural subsidies. He also argued that current growth benefits only one minority, with 45% of the population facing financial difficulties.
It presented data that, between 2015 and 2019, the income of the poorer increased by 45%, while between 2019 and 2023, the same group’s income decreased by 8.1%. He argued that his own government chose to burden the richest and reduced inequalities, while the current government, according to him, protects the “elites”.
Finally, Mr Tsipras admitted that he lacks active politics and contact with voters, but stressed that he had never been “thirst” for power.
In detail Alexis Tsipras’ interview with Le Monde newspaper
– Greece has led to the crisis for three main reasons: dysfunctional productive model, generalized corruption and customer state. This crisis was a modern odyssey for the Greek people. Like Odysseus’ return to Ithaca after a long and difficult journey, leaving the international economic programs in 2018 marks Greece’s entry into a new era. However, the conservative government did not take advantage of the opportunities offered by the end of the country’s financial support.
-We have returned to a general corruption. The recently erupted European agricultural grant scandal is quite indicative.
-It is time to reveal the truth and correct some myths circulating for 2015.
It is true that, unlike many others, who did not all participate in the negotiations, I did not talk about this dramatic period for Greece, though I was the main protagonist. So I write a book that will be published by the end of the year.
-The current growth benefits only one minority. According to the latest surveys conducted at the beginning of the year, only one in five Greeks live well, 45% of the population has financial difficulties and 35% is indebted.
-Let us remember that in 2015 we managed to restructure debt and benefit from low interest rates by 2032. This will no longer be the case and, in order for Greece to continue repaying its debt, it will need high growth rates. With this productive model, it will be difficult.
-Despite the very strong pressure of the creditors, my government chose to burden the richest with the burden of austerity and reduced inequalities. Under the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has been in power since 2019, inequalities are growing. Between 2015 and 2019, 10% of the poorest increased by 45%, and decreased by 2.7% for 10% of the richest. In contrast, between 2019 and 2023, 10% of the poorest decreased by 8.1%, while 10% of the richest increased by 13%.
-The program I implemented between 2015 and 2019 led to fiscal cuts and taxes of € 8.1 billion, compared to 44 billion for the two previous ones. 84 % of the weight of austerity was imposed during the first two international economic programs.
– Mr. Mitsotakis or Mr Bayrou’s neoliberal right wants to protect the elites at all costs. This is one of the big differences with the Left, which, on the other hand, is interested in the well -being of the many, the weakest and the middle class.
– When I took over the leadership of the government, the first two aid programs had failed to correct the situation. The conservative government had left us with a debt representing 180% of GDP, and empty funds.
– With this referendum, I wanted to achieve a better result for the Greek people. It was a way, through a form of dramatization, to achieve concessions from creditors. And we have partially succeeded, Greece was able to restructure its public debt, which allowed her to come out of the international program in August 2018 and regain her financial autonomy.
-Har in what my political opponents call “ass”, Greece is today a normal country that is no longer under international supervision and does not allow IMF officials to dictate its policies. So I’m proud to make this choice.
-I never thirsty for power. But I miss active politics and contact with voters.