Although SYRIZA has turned European elections into a referendum against the government policies and memorandum, the last two days Mr Tsipras avoids referring directly to national elections and sets the bar rather low. Specifically, the main opposition party and Alexis Tsipras himself aim to “get the first place by far so as political developments will be set forward”, without however specifying the percentage by which these developments may occur as well as when these will happen.

The only one who said a specific number is Nikos Voutsis who spoke of a “victory with 3%”, but this does not reflect the general line adopted by the party. Having experienced a negative surprise from last Sunday’s exit polls, SYRIZA stays at the general estimates shown by most opinion polls revealing a lead over New Democracy in European elections and avoids fostering expectations that may not be realized. “Let’s get the results first, and then we will see” they say.

SYRIZA leaves the impression that only if it wins by more than five and six points, it will ask the government to resign so as to go for national elections. This is because the poor performance in regional elections is considered to cancel at some extent any disapproval for the government the European elections might show, especially if this disapproval is showed by a few points difference.

Talking yesterday from Milan, Mr Tsipras said that “all indications show that we will get the first place in Greece, but we should make broad alliances with leftist and social forces in Europe, alliances against barbarism,”.

Later from Bologna he expressed his confidence that “Greece will send a strong and powerful message for a change in European elections” and noted that it is also a “message of dignity and collective self-confidence, on behalf of all people in Europe who suffer from austerity programs” calling for unity in order to confront all problems which are common together with the whole Europe.

He showed, however, his intention to insist until the end of his election campaign on talking about the Cannes case and the business of Merkel – Sarkozy to overthrow the elected governments that they did not like. “Should we say yes to Machiavelli’s Europe? Or should we say yes to Europe of the Enlightenment and Gramsci?” Mr Tsipras said.

SYRIZA’s rallies

Alexis Tsipras will speak tonight at a rally in Patras, He will then go to Thessaloniki and on Thursday he will speak at a rally in Athens. His election campaign will be ended on Friday speaking at an open meeting in Heraklion, Crete and probably he will have a press conference on the same day.

Conscience vote and in favour of KKE

For the second round of the local and regional elections, SYRIZA will choose the “conscience vote” in cases where it has no candidate, except from cases where the Greek Communist Party (KKE) has candidates for the second round. In these cases, SYRIZA will support the candidates of KKE.

Free pass

SYRIZA will ask government to permit the free pass in toll stations in order to encourage citizens to go to vote without thinking of the transportation costs, limiting thus the abstention in European elections.