- Title: GREECE-VOTE/TSIPRAS Greek opposition leader says no reason to fear his party
- Date: 18th December 2014
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (DECEMBER 18, 2014)(REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MAIN OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SEATED AT HIS DESK IN HIS OFFICE WRITING ON A COMPUTER (SOUNDBITE)(Greek) MAIN OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "I don't think anything can change this result, because nothing can change the discontent of the Greek people with the current policies. What we are simply seeing in parliament is the expression of disharmony between the people's will and the government's policies." TSIPRAS LISTENING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE)(Greek) MAIN OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "Syriza and democracy are not a threat for Greece or for Europe. It is the hope for a viable exit from the crisis. In the last year Greece was chosen to be the guinea pig of austerity in order to exit the crisis, this was proven to be a failure and catastrophic, no goal succeeded. Now Greece needs to be the opposite experiment for Europe, the experiment for growth, social cohesion, and democracy." TSIPRAS AT HIS DESK (SOUNDBITE)(Greek) MAIN OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "When it is proven that the prophecy of fear was not fulfilled and the catastrophe did not come, and that we are proceeding with understanding and coordinated steps towards recovery, then a win by Syriza will act as a spell that will vanish the bad magic caused in the markets all these years by fearmongers. And I believe then the markets will show a more friendly face towards Greece, the investors will return to Greece, but Europe will also enter a new path." TSIPRAS AT HIS DESK (SOUNDBITE)(Greek) MAIN OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "Europe is not a homeowner that is renting its house to pariah countries. Europe is our common home. And no one can be kicked out of our common home. We are not renters, we are co-homeowners. Governments cannot act as landlords collecting rent from co-owners. That will end, in January when the Greek people will give their verdict." TSIPRAS LISTENING TO JOURNALIST'S QUESTION (SOUNDBITE)(Greek) MAIN OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "We don't want anymore new loans. We want a viable solution, so we can give something back to the Greek people and not keep putting it into a black hole, and to direct Greece back on a road towards growth, towards an exit from the crisis. And this will not only be a success and victory for Greece but a success and victory for Europe also." TSIPRAS WORKING ON HIS COMPUTER IN HIS OFFICE
- Embargoed: 2nd January 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Greece
- Country: Greece
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVASPQ4TLPNA04STCYR8OAGYG2Y
- Story Text: Greece's main opposition Syriza party leader Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday (December 18) that Europe and the markets had nothing to fear from a government of the far left Syriza party.
Syriza is leading in opinion polls, and following Wednesday's first round of voting in parliament for a president, where deputies failed to agree on a new president, the likelihood of a snap general election is drawing nearer, as the constitution says if parliament cannot select a president elections must be called.
The government was short 40 votes as only 160 deputies voted in favour. There are two more rounds in the next 11 days, where the government will need 180 in the last round. But Tsipras says it will not succeed in forming a government as the public wants elections.
"I don't think anything can change this result, because nothing can change the discontent of the Greek people with the current policies. What we are simply seeing in parliament is the expression of disharmony between the people's will and the government's policies," Tsipras said.
Syriza in power has caused anxiety in the markets and panic in the European Union, as the party has said it will not continue with the austerity reform programme of the current government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. But Tsipras said he and his party are not a threat, and this will become clear once the left is in power and will negotiate an amicable solution for Greece's economy.
"Syriza and democracy are not a threat for Greece or for Europe. It is the hope for a viable exit from the crisis. In the last year Greece was chosen to be the guinea pig of austerity in order to exit the crisis, this was proven to be a failure and catastrophic, no goal succeeded. Now Greece needs to be the opposite experiment for Europe, the experiment for growth, social cohesion, and democracy, " he said, adding, "When it is proven that the prophecy of fear was not fulfilled and the catastrophe did not come, and that we are proceeding with understanding and co-ordinated steps towards recovery, then a win by Syriza will act as a spell that will vanish the bad magic caused in the markets all these years by fearmongers. And I believe then the markets will show a more friendly face towards Greece, the investors will return to Greece, but Europe will also enter a new path," he said.
The opposition leader said Greece's place is in the European Union and should not be threatened with being kicked out of the eurozone nor treated as a pariah state.
"Europe is not a homeowner that is renting its house to pariah countries. Europe is our common home. And no one can be kicked out of our common home. We are not renters, we are co-homeowners. Governments cannot act as landlords collecting rent from co-owners. That will end, in January when the Greek people will give their verdict."
Tsipras said the government will negotiate with lenders for a viable economic plan and a 'win-win' solution for both sides. But he will not impose any more austerity on the public and will bring relief to those who suffered during the crisis. A more growth friendly economic model was in Europe's interest also as opposed to austerity heavy policies. He said the current program had failed.
"We don't want anymore new loans. We want a viable solution, so we can give something back to the Greek people and not keep putting it into a black hole, and to direct Greece back on a road towards growth, towards an exit from the crisis. And this will not only be a success and victory for Greece but a success and victory for Europe also," he said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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