In a meeting with Syriza parliamentarians Wednesday, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras acknowledged the frustration and disappointment of society as reflected in the latest polls, but strenuously ruled out early elections, leveling criticism against New Democracy opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Based on the assumption that the government has let down Greek society, Alexis Tsipras addressed Syriza parliamentarians, implicitly accepting the negative measurements of public opinion in the polls and acknowledging the agony and suffering of the people. He appealed to his parliamentarians to go into “battle mode” in order to stand by the people.

Seeking to raise morale among his parliamentarians who fear another wave of austerity measures will result from negotiations with creditors over a new bailout, Tsipras said that Syriza and the government must not abandon their efforts to steer Greece out of its current crisis.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the Greek economy is on its way to recovery, and that the issue is to consolidate the progress that has been made, charting Greece’s course for the long-term.

“We are close to reaching the agreement, differences can be bridged if there are any, so long as there is willingness from all sides,” he said, adding that “the review will be over, without compromising on issues of principle.” He also noted: “This is New Democracy’s biggest nightmare, because all they can think about is how to assume power again, and not about the fate of the country.”