The government introduced “Article 23” on foreclosure auctions and evictions without a court order, attempting to push it through under cover of night, but was met with strong opposition and a wave of solidarity. That was one of the points made by Alexis Tsipras, speaking to residents of Ilioupoli, whom he met in the evening.
Given that the government had weighed the political cost, as the country was in an unofficial pre-election period, he wondered what it would do if it won a third four-year term and was therefore no longer under pressure from the prospect of an election.
Mr Tsipras said: “I want to pass this on to you, because it is news that broke just a few hours ago: the Greece of struggle and solidarity won a victory today. Mr Mitsotakis, through Mr Pierrakakis, tried to introduce an amendment to a bill from the Ministry of Finance that would have allowed servicers and funds to proceed with foreclosure auctions and evictions without a court order, on the basis of the private agreement in the contract borrowers had signed with creditors.
And he tried to push it through under cover of night, with an amendment designed to escape everyone’s notice. But, to his misfortune, today—today—there was a major wave of solidarity over a case that happened to break today. It was similar to the case we saw in Spain, that of Maricarmen, the elderly woman who has since passed away and was evicted and put through hardship. A major wave and movement of solidarity, however, supported this elderly woman’s right to live and die in her home, with dignity.
The same thing happened in Thessaloniki to an elderly woman who also had a disability. A major wave of solidarity emerged, and frightened those governing us. Just a short while ago, they hastily withdrew Article 23, which would have allowed Greeks to proceed with foreclosure auctions without a court order.
This sends a message about the power the citizens’ movement and the solidarity movement can have. But it is also a warning to all of us: the pre-election period is approaching, and they fear the political cost.
Imagine this government, after everything that has happened in this country over the past seven years, winning a third four-year term in a few months. Imagine what that would mean for the great majority of society. I want you to remember that the struggle we are waging is not one of self-interest; it is a struggle to serve society.
It is a struggle to support society and the great majority of society. That is why we must wage this struggle within society, alongside society, and let the momentum for victory in the next elections for ELAS come from society.”
Mr Tsipras said: “A simple change of government is not enough. What is needed is a policy of radical reforms that will support society, support working people and offer the country a different future. So I call on you to join us in this worthy fight, so that this will be the last winter our country has a New Democracy government led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Enough is enough. If we believe in it and fight for it, we will make it happen.”
Following the provocative event organised by I. Kasidiaris in Thessaloniki on the national anniversary, the president of ELAS appealed to polling firms and the media to be careful about giving excessive exposure to the far right and neo-Nazis.
“It is our responsibility, to recall the lyrics: ‘Understand fascism deeply; it will not die on its own—crush it.’ So we must become a bulwark against the snake’s egg, against fascism and neo-Nazism, and make a promise to our children and to the future that we will never again leave our neighbourhoods at the mercy of criminal groups and stormtrooper gangs, as happened 15 years ago,” he added.