Tsipras presents government policy statements to Parliament

Prime Minister said government’s goal was to pave the way for a new economic growth model, one that was progressive and different from that of classic neoliberalism

“Our aim is to have set the conditions for a new Greece by the end of our 4-year term” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Monday presenting the government’s policy statements in Parliament and added that “it will be a difficult but a promising political period full of challenges”.

Alexis Tsipras said that the goal of the government is the return of the economy to positive growth rates during the first half of 2016 and Greece’s exit to international markets during the first half of 2017 adding that in order to achieve that the government must win 2+1 bets: debt relief, dealing with red loans and creating a favorable investment environment.

In addition, he announced the suspension of 23% VAT hike on private education until next November.

“Today we have succeeded in securing the country’s economic stability and to finally end the discussion on a grexit,” he added, noting that the new deal with Greece’s creditors created an indisputably more favourable fiscal framework, with margins to use resources to support growth.

He also lashed out at “the forces of the old which will do everything so that nothing would ever change in Greece”.

Prime Minister stressed that the government’s goal was to pave the way for a new economic growth model, one that was progressive and different from that of classic neoliberalism.

He also stressed the need to proceed with the first review of the Greek programme without delay, “even though it contains difficult and in some cases deleterious measures.”, since that would be the key that could unlock the door to vital debt relief and a bank recapitalisation.