Tsakalotos: I would sit at the same table with Tsipras for a progressive government

Euclid Tsakalotos, a Member of Parliament for New Left, has criticized the political direction of Nikos Androulakis while expressing openness to cooperating with Alexis Tsipras to form a progressive government. Tsakalotos stated his understanding of Tsipras, the Communist Party (KKE), and MeRA25, despite disagreements, but expressed bewilderment at Androulakis's strategy to win elections.

“

I understand Tsipras, I understand the KKE, I understand MeRA25 with all my disagreements, but I don't understand how Androulakis thought he could win the elections.

Tsakalotos affirmed his readiness to sit at the same table with Alexis Tsipras if the common goal is to establish a progressive government. He emphasized the need to develop a long-term political plan with a substantial presence in public discourse. "We want to be a party with a long duration, with a significant voice, which must be present in the Greek political scene, with a program that addresses the short-term problems of the people but also the major structural problems," he told ERTnews.

Regarding Alexis Tsipras's new political venture, Tsakalotos described it not as a coalition but as an insular effort. He argued that genuine unity requires engaging with individuals from diverse progressive groups like ecology, social democracy, and the radical left, rather than forming alliances with oneself. "First of all, it is not a coalition. You don't form a coalition with yourself. If you want to unite the three spaces, ecology, social democracy, and radical left, you sit down with the people belonging to these groups, these collectives, and you discuss. He doesn't do that," Tsakalotos explained.

“

We want to be a party with a long duration, with a significant voice, which must be present in the Greek political scene, with a program that addresses the short-term problems of the people but also the major structural problems.

He added that if Tsipras were to initiate a dialogue with progressive forces, he would not rule out such a discussion. "If Mr. Tsipras says 'Here I am, I bring these proposals to the table, these initiatives, you as New Left or you as MeRA25 come and let's sit at the table, let's find the 8 points that unite us to form a progressive government, to gradually change things.' I would not reject that, but that is not on the table," he stated.

“

First of all, it is not a coalition. You don't form a coalition with yourself. If you want to unite the three spaces, ecology, social democracy, and radical left, you sit down with the people belonging to these groups, these collectives, and you discuss. He doesn't do that.

Discussing the internal situation within New Left, Tsakalotos pointed out a contradiction among colleagues who left the party. He noted their departure from a party advocating for popular fronts and alliances, only to join a movement that seemingly dismisses such collaborations. Tsakalotos expressed his desire for New Left to ally with parties on the left spectrum to foster a distinct political voice, arguing that significant public spending on defense hinders the development of a welfare state.

“

If Mr. Tsipras says 'Here I am, I bring these proposals to the table, these initiatives, you as New Left or you as MeRA25 come and let's sit at the table, let's find the 8 points that unite us to form a progressive government, to gradually change things.' I would not reject that, but that is not on the table.