A
direction of common sense and pragmat-
ic politics that would lead to a realistic
assessment of constraints and capabili-
ties alike, giving precedence to the needs of the
people over ideology. We need a decisive shift in
favour of collective interests and popular aspira-
tions. This is the only way to regain the heart of
Europeans and restore the prestige of the
European project.
We need to respect democracy and the expression
of the peoples’ free will, if we are not to surrender
Europe to the extreme nationalist and populist right.
For Greece, the era of austerity, the era of the
Memorandums and the troika is over. This is
definitive and irreversible. Those who act as if the
Greek people never voted or as if their vote is
irrelevant, actually render Europe irrelevant in the
eyes of its citizens.
We feel that political change in Greece is to a
great extent compatible with forging a new, mean-
ingful relationship with our European partners, a
relationship based on sincerity, realism and mutu-
al understanding.
After five years of economic downturn and social
hardship, our country remains in a dire economic
state. Our problems span many aspects of eco-
nomic activity, from financial precariousness to
mass unemployment and poverty.
Our government’s task is far from being easy. It
requires major reforms to deal with historically
rooted injustices, as well as the inefficiencies of
our economic system.
It is absolutely vital for Greece to have its public
debt restructured.
Greece needs fiscal space in order to be once
again able to plan and organize its economy.
Trade with Greece
6
The electoral victory of SYRIZA on January
25th has given fresh hope to millions of
people suffering from austerity in Europe.
This is a great opportunity to provide the
necessary momentum for movement towards
the required direction.
We aim at turning political
change in Greece into a
new impetus for Europe
By Alexis Tsipras,
Prime Minister of Greece
