Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday evening again appeared on national television, not to make a proclamation or to promote a specific answer to any referendum, but this time to answer questions by two presenters on the state-run broadcaster (ERT) dealing with the whirlwind developments surrounding the “Greek euro crisis” over the recent period.
His latest live television appearance came a day before an utterly crucial vote in Parliament on the agreement finally worked out by Athens with its European creditors on Monday morning.
Tsipras’ comments, in bullet form:
– There is real problem with the (Greek) pension system
– It’s not progressive to retire at the age of 45
– This (bailout program) adaptation is milder than cuts in wages, pensions
– Wages, pensions are not reduced, but VAT rates are raised; that’s the irrationality of the policy that is imposed on us
– There is a commitment for a restructuring of the debt
– We’ve left Grexit behind
– The agreement includes harsh reforms, but there is a prospect, which was not (evident) in the June 25 ultimatum
– I tried to vie for as much as I could
– There was also a Schauble version (of a bailout plan)
– Alternatives were: agreement or an disorderly bankruptcy
– The night before last was a bad evening for Greece
– Today I want to only speak truths and not beautify things
– I took risks. In life and in politics you must take risks
– When I decided on the referendum, I had the conviction that it would give us the necessary extension (of time). There was a vindictive stance on the part of the partners
– I am convinced by the fact that I took matters to an extreme. I took things to the point they had never gone (before). Someone may criticize me that I went too far. No one can criticize me for not doing everything I could. We reached a point that was outside the framework of the support program
– They were giving us one billion euros for five months, and then again negotiations for new terms. We had an absolute impasse 10 days ago … You can criticize me for (having) an illusion that this Europe can be defeated, but you cannot criticize me for lying
– I am not willing to flee from my responsibilities
– Within this harsh framework there are possibilities for a redistribution (of wealth?)
– I hope that the economy will return to growth rates, so that we can redistribute in a fairer manner
– It’s clear that the country is receiving 82 billion euros, and that it must maneuver within the a fiscal framework as dictated by this agreement
– The EKAS bonus (for low-income pensioners) will not be abolished, but it will be replaced in 2020
– We struggled so that pensions would not be reduced
– I do not want to beautify anything, but on the issue of pensions we managed to avoid cuts
– There is no ‘bridge-program’ as yet. Some people are blocking it
– When asked about the prospect of expelling MPs from ruling SYRIZA, he said: “that’s not in my (political) culture, nor in my party’s (culture)”
– We’re amid dire conditions
– There is no Plan B
– When I understood this (of a Grexit plan) I communicated with Merkel and told her that I consider this as unfathomable. She told me that is was not her plan, and the story ended there
– Schauble’s option was a consensual option. I understood this when Yanis Varoufakis conveyed a message in March or April
– Those (Greek citizens) that had transferred their money abroad would have gotten by just fine. That (Grexit) was not a leftist option
– An disorderly default (bankruptcy) would have led to the issuance of a (new) currency
– The country does not have cash reserves to back a new currency
– The decision was the one I made, with the criterion of what is best in the interests of the country at the moment and the working classes. This is reality
– I will not say that I brought about a success story, like the previous (governments)
– Asked about a possible break-up of ruling SYRIZA, he said he will do whatever possible to keep the leftist party intact
– A consensual Grexit would have meant a return to a national currency with the continuation of the memorandum
– Certain hardline conservatives in Europe do not feel comfortable with the existence of a government that is different than the framework they are used to
– Cracks in Europe have begun. Soon, harsh austerity will not be a one-way street
– The day before last was a milestone for Europe
– I overestimated the power of a people’s just cause
– Our vision will be vindicated
– I do not believe in a ‘special purpose’ government. A prime minister must struggle, take decisions, and not flee
– I relations with (DM and coalition partner) Panos Kammenos are excellent
– Asked if the possibility of Grexit has been avoided: I can’t say with certainty until agreement ratified
– Tsipras on Summit: The responsibility was difficult, but there was no chance that I would have accepted Schauble’s proposal for a Fund (to retain Greek assets). Various prime ministers, in a rude manner, pointed the finger at an elected prime minister
– ERT does not have a fiscal repercussion
– The prime minister of the Netherlands tabled the issue of ERT
– It’s up to (Parliament president) Zoe Constantopoulou whether she presides tomorrow (Wednesday)
– I respect the position and stance of every deputy
– On banks: They cannot open automatically, there will be a gradual return of normalcy in the banking system, in time, which I cannot determine
– On banks: The issue of when they’ll open depends on when we’ll have a final ratification of the agreement. I do not believe we will need a ‘haircut’ of deposits. That’s why we’ll receive 25 billion euro. I believe it is more than enough.
– The message to the markets today is that Greece will no longer have a debt problem
– Tsipras on Summit: Finns said not a euro of ‘fresh money’ for Greece
– Tsipras on Summit: I gave a battle until the early morning. Twice I forced a break in the council, and in the end to accept the proposal we had tabled
– Tsipras on Varoufakis: He made mistakes during the negotiations, but I take responsibility for the mistakes
– My relationship with him (Varoufakis) has not soured
– The fact that someone is an excellent economist does not mean that he’s cut out to be a politician. A politician must be able to control himself. But I appreciate his honorable character. He wanted to serve the country’s interests.
– I assume Varoufakis’ mistakes
– Whether we proceed to (snap) elections does not depend on my intention, it’s not in my intentions. I can now only contend with blocking the plans of certain hardcore conservatives
– What is important now is to ensure the (bailout) program
