“For the past 15 years, a phenomenon of Balkanization of the country’s economic and social life has been presented,” the former prime minister said in his position in Inforoum. Alexis Tsipras.
He argued that the brain drain is continuing and that this is due to “on the one hand the country’s divergence from the average European level is continuing and on the other because the crisis of credibility of institutions, politics and values has been increasing over the last six years.”
Alexis Tsipras also said: “The country has undergone a great deal of recession for the last 15 years, average income has declined by 13 points. Of the 80% of the European average in 2007 we are now at 60%. The country continues to deviate from Europe. “
Continuing his arguments, he cited research on comparative data in Greece with European countries and said: “The percentage of citizens at the poverty line is 28%, same as Bulgaria and Romania. We have a phenomenon of Balkanization of the country’s economic life. It is reflected in wages, public services, the welfare state, the rule of law and the sense of equality. The generations of the last 15 years, for the first time after the war, feel that they will live worse than the previous ones. This is the main reason that drives and maintains the brain drain. Another element is that in Greece, there is the highest taxation of wage labor. The government, when assumed, reduced taxation on large incomes. “
Asked if the conditions are better today than in 2019 he replied: “Many great opportunities have been missed over the last six years. As for whether the conditions are better, it depends on who you will ask. The research of Metron Analysis you presented, says we are, not in one -third society, says we are in the society of one fifth. 21% of those asked replied that it was making money and saving. 35% replied that the month is not coming out – and the rest that it is marginally. But in 2024 a record of 15 years was recorded in the profits of the Stock Exchange. The government is doing very well, for those who want to serve, for these financial interests. It is not better for the vast majority of the Greek people. “
He also noted that “for the last six years the opportunity has been missed, no plan to change the productive model and the reversal of the European average divergence has been built. The productive model is overcome, it is the model that has led us to the crisis but we continue. It takes a growth leap, because otherwise the country will fall on the rocks, it requires stronger growth rates, than 1.5% to 2% recorded, coupled with the shift to society, strengthening the welfare state and reducing inequalities. “
Criticizing the government, he said, “Brain drain is continuing and is mismatch with government rhetoric. If one believed in government rhetoric, it would find that there is no brain drain, we have solved it, as we have faced the issue of precision and the issue of OPEKEPE’s rural funds and the safety of the railways. But as long as there is a mismatch in the per capita income of Europe and Greece, the phenomenon will continue. “
He noted that there was a deficit in the opposition and explained the government’s supremacy: “We are moving towards a society of one fifth. This means that 21% will have no reason not to vote for this government. If they are also strong financial interests with the media influence and public opinion, 21% can be 30%. But the remaining 70% are they? It is fragmented, split, scattered and without a vision. ” To the question of whether he estimates that the current situation in the country can continue, he replied: “Theoretically it can continue for a long time as long as there is no alternative political proposal. The big demand for the political life of the place, which is also Balkan, is whether there will be an alternative proposal. If it does not exist, the quagmire will continue. If there is an effort for a vision and a credible alternative to today’s government, then things will change. “