Main opposition Coalition of the Left (SYRIZA) party leader Alexis Tsipras delivered a keynote speech at the 79^th International Trade Fair on Saturday. During this speech he called for national elections and said he would render the country’s deal with international creditors invalid and end austerity.

The speech he delivered was divided into four main areas:

A: Humanitarian Aid – 2 billion euros

• * Offering free electricity to 300,000 families living beneath the poverty line.
• * Food coupons for 400,000 families in collaboration with local government, the church and other institutions.
• * Free health care for all.
• * A housing program in collaboration with the Workers Hearth Organization (Ergatiki Estia) with the subsidization of rent worth 3-5 euros per square meter
• * Support of low pensioners and a return of the 13^th-month pension payment to 1,262,920 people who have a right to it.
• * Special pass or public transport to be made available to vulnerable groups at a symbolic rate of payment.
• * An abolition of the equalization of fuel costs for heating with transport fuel at 90 cents. The measure has no cost but is of fiscal benefit.

B: Rebooting the Economy

• * The creation of regional committees for the arbitration of taxation offenses so that unfair cases can be cleared within six months. Amounts owed can be paid in 84 installments and the same is the case for insurance contributions. An immediate end to legal sanctions and the threat of auctions.
• * The immediate termination of the single property tax (ENFIA) that is considered a tax that burdens poor people and is of benefit to the more privileged. The tax will be replaced by a large landowners’ tax based on the actual amount of assets that are 30-35% lower to current assessments. Small or medium-sized real estate owners are to be excluded from this tax.
• * A non-taxable amount of 12,000 euros per annum as was the case prior to the recession.
• * A new relief of burdens (seisachtheia) for those who are under the poverty line. An indefinite suspension of property auctions to pay off debts on properties valued less than 300,000 euros.
• * The State will once again acquire the control of credit stability and be responsible for the management of banks.
• * A return of the minimum wage to 751 euros for all workers regardless of their age.

C: National Employment Scheme

• * A reinstatement of the employment protection program including the abolition of mass dismissals.
• * An interim employment program worth 5 billion euros, 3 billion euros of which are to be used for the creation of 300,000 job placements.
• * Increasing the amount of people entitled to unemployment benefits.

D: Institutional and democratic reshuffling of the political system

• * Rehiring those dismissed from the public sector
• * An institutional and operational strengthening of Parliament, local government and the union base. The replacement of the Kallikratis administrative division with a new framework for local government.
• * The introduction of institutions such as popular legislative initiatives and referendums. The limitation of asylum rights for politicians that leaves them unpunished.
• * The redesign of the radio and television network of Greece. The creation of a new Greek State and Radio Network (ERT) that is diverse, pluralistic and democratic without the intervention of the prime minister in its operation.

How the program will be funded?

Tsipras said that the SYRIZA’s program is fully functional and will have funding from:

• * Rebooting the economy
• * The 68 billion euros worth of overdue debts – 3 billion for the first year and over 20 billion euros for the first year and over 20 billion euros over a seven year period.
• * A decisive clamp-down on tax evasion without buckling under pressure.

Coalition Government’s Opposition

Government spokesperson Sofia Voultepsi mocked SYRIZA’s plan by stating that it “was raining billions from the Thessaloniki sky this evening.” She stated that SYRIZA’s first year in government would be disastrous and would cause Greece’s exit from the euro.