Tsipras: This neoliberal austerity policy across Europe is dangerous

Speaking at the meeting of the executive committee of the European Left party in Berlin, SYRIZA president Alexis Tsipras said the applied neoliberal austerity policy is dangerous, not only for Greece and the Greeks, but for the whole of Europe. He spoke of «a dead-end program», said that Greece serves as a guinea pig and warned against the reinforcement of neo-Nazi organizations.

«The big problem in Greece now is the disappointment of the people,» he said and explained that the Greeks, along with unemployment and poverty, are facing lack of hope «that there is in an exit from the destructive program in the near future.» He said this policy did not change during the last elections and the voting of the memorandum, and the measures were passed by a narrow majority.

The SYRIZA leader analyzed the situation in Greece, talking about unemployment of over 26%, a reduction in the GDP at 25%, for the fifth consecutive year of recession at 7%, and for the debt aim by 2020. He noted that the restructuring of the Greek debt «was not a real haircut, but only for the people and not the banks, and led to a further increase rather than a reduction of Greece’s debt.»

Referring to his recent visit to Latin America, Tsipras stated that the situation there cannot be compared to Greece and Europe, but he found governments and parties there that understand the risk of a global crisis which will affect the entire planet. «The situation in Latin America is different, but the struggle against neoliberal austerity policies is a common one. We have a common interest to fight against these policies.»

Tomorrow, Tsipras will take part in the commemorations of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, will speak at an event entitled "Against the sovereignty of the banking system: Peace to the people" and will have meetings with Die Linke president Gregor Gysi, Left Eurogroup president Gabi Zimmer and Sweden’s Left party president Jonas Sjöstedt.

On Monday, he will meet with the parliamentary groups of SPD, Greens and FDP, and with finmin Wolfgang Schäuble, and will speak at a campaign event of the Left in Hanover.