Greek PM Alexis Tsipras reigns amidst economic crisis; calls for rapid elections

Image: AFP

Image: AFP

Athens: Early on Thursday, the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced his resignation from parliament, in order to reform the government with the support of the citizens, in light of the lack of substantial support in his parliamentary colleagues. He asked for re-elections as soon as possible. The elections are now roughly expected to be held in the first half of September.

Later, on Thursday evening, the PM visited the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and personally handed over the resignation. This move came nearly a month after he was unable to garner sufficient support in the Parliament for the measures the Economic lenders were willing to put into effect to improve the situation in the debt-ridden country. Not only the Opposition, but also some members of the PM’s own Syriza party members did not stand by the decisions. Tsipras only came to power in January.

The measures included overhauling the pension system and increasing the sales tax, which would both be unfair to the citizens, despite the country receiving a third bailout of nearly 86 billion euros. This deal had been approved a month ago, but its implementation remained completely in the hands of a few supportive Opposition party members and selected few Ruling party members who supported it. The only two options that had remained with him were to seek a Vote of Confidence or to resign and re-run for the elections, because with the amount of resistance he was facing, Tsipras was evidently not in a position to form a governing collaboration.

Now, the future of the proposed reforms by European lenders and hence, Tsipras’ run as PM remains entirely in the hands of the Greek citizens, as they decide whether or not to re-elect Alexis Tsipras. In a broadcast interview, he stated, “With your vote, you will decide who will lead Greece into this difficult but hopeful path forward. I will ask for the vote of the Greek people in order to govern and unfold our program.”

This bailout, the third of its kind in Greece, had decided whether or not the debt-ridden country would exit from the Eurozone, after several deliberations with the European Central Bank in Brussels. On Thursday, the first installment of this bailout of 26 billion euros was received by Athens, vis-à- vis much opposition, leading up to this massive resignation. In turn, Athens paid  3.2 billion euros to the European Central Bank in repayment for a loan.

Alexis Tsipras has been and is a highly popular democratic leader and the mandate is also in his favour.  However, this gamble-like situation is going to pay off only if the bailout not only improves the general economic situation, but also allows people to cope with a general life-style without financial pressures, because the people are tired and the country is unlikely to survive another debt crisis. Nonetheless, much of the power will be compromised into the hands of the European Union officials.

Meanwhile, a section of Alexis Tsipras’ party Syzira, has split into the Popular Unity party, as many have rallied against the decision of the reforms.

Source: CNN, The Guardian

Contributor: Khushi Desai

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