Alexis Tsipras sought to show his solidarity with the French people and young people in their struggles through today’s visit to Paris and meetings with leading figures on the French Left.
“France is sending a message of resistance to policies that are tearing society apart,” he said in a post. In an interview with Libération, speaking about Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his main rival, Raphaël Glucksmann, he clarified that it was not his place to intervene in the internal political dynamics of the French Left.
In a remark that also carried a message for progressive forces at home, Mr Tsipras said: “All I can do is wish all progressive and left-wing candidates the best of luck in the next elections and hope that whoever comes out on top in the first round will be backed by all the others against the far-right candidate”…
In the same interview, when asked why, as prime minister, he chose Europe at the cost of austerity, he replied (sending a message to a wider audience):
“In reality, at the cost of political damage, I chose to keep Greece in the EU, while protecting the most vulnerable and, in a way, safeguarding the stability and very existence of the EU. I have no regrets at all.
The alternative would have cost the social groups I want to represent, and that the Left represents, far more: ordinary people, workers and young people. Greece managed to exit the economic adjustment programmes, secure a debt settlement and return to growth.
To those who criticised this choice, I say that the Left must campaign for a fairer Europe, not the break-up of Europe — which is the far right’s choice. So those who criticise me should think about it! Does it make sense for us to align ourselves with the far right’s aims? No.”
Asked whether, in France as in other democracies, the far right appears to be benefiting from economic and social crises and whether this raises the question of whether left-wing forces should change their approach, the ELAS president responded as follows:
“Historically, the far right has always been a systemic force, despite its anti-establishment façade. Hitler came to power in Germany with the support of big business. The far right offers simplistic answers to complex problems.
The Left must convince citizens that their lives will truly change only if the way they are governed changes, along with policies that exacerbate inequalities and offer young people no prospects.
Today in Europe, there are people who cannot pay their bills and cannot live with dignity. At the same time, a minority is seeing its wealth grow.
The Left cannot fulfil its role if it wants to be liked by everyone. For example, we want to tax wealth by introducing a form of Zucman tax: taxing the wealth of the richest 1% for the benefit of 99% of Greek society. This plan displeases a minority. But its aim is social justice.”