Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis expressed the conviction on Wednesday that the outcome of the general elections to be held in Greece on January 25 has already been determined, as main opposition SYRIZA’s victory is considered by everyone a sure thing.

More specifically, in an interview with protothema.gr, Mr. Kouvelis said that the only question pertaining to this election battle is whether SYRIZA will rule the country alone, or whether it will cooperate with the Independent Greeks or the Greens-DIMAR alliance.

With regard to DIMAR’s possible role in a coalition government, Mr. Kouvelis noted that the Democratic Left has proven time and again that participation in a government is a means to an end, not an end in itself.

Read below excerpts from Mr. Kouvelis interview

On Democratic Left’s cooperation with the Ecologist Greens

“It is an alliance on equal terms, an open invitation for cooperation addressed to active citizens, social movements and groups that express innovative initiatives on a social and an ecological level and seek a real political change.”

On the chances DIMAR has of entering the House

“We look Greek citizens in the eyes and ask them for their vote. Besides, as they surely understand themselves, the presence of DIMAR and the Greens in the Greek parliament is necessary, not for the self-preservation of their members, but for the very quality of our political life.”

On the prospect of cooperation with SYRIZA party

“The country’s need to turn the page is our unanimous commitment. Greece needs political change to disengage from the policies that have led society and economy to asphyxiation. We want Greece to be governed by progressive political forces and we will help with all our power, provided we agree on a programmatic level and on the condition that the governmental framework is pro-European.”