#DoYouRemember? — The day Alexis Tsipras talked Brexit
Shortly before blaming the EU for the UK’s vote, the Greek PM met with EU Commission President for a friendly chat.
On the 25th of June of last year, the central committee of SYRIZA was in session. Less than a week had gone by since the UK had voted to leave the European Union. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras indulged in blaming the “chronic deficiencies” of European heads of state and their persistence in forcing austerity. In his eyes, this attitude is what fuelled nationalist sentiments across Europe and brought support to populist movements.
“As much as the decision of the British people saddens us, it is a decision to be respected. We must not put the blame on the British people … when the borders remain open on austerity policies but stay closed for people.”
On the same day in 2015, Greece’s creditors proposed the bailout terms that Tsipras would call upon the Greek people to reject in a referendum. In an attempt to end the years of austerity imposed by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Tsipras sought advice from his electorate.
His promise since his election was that he would take Greece out of the EU if push came to shove. The people voted to reject the terms of the agreement, and Tsipras returned to the negotiating table with what he thought was leverage.
Soon enough, he announced that not only did he accept the terms of the initial agreement, but more were added to the memorandum. In return, Greece would be able to negotiate another bailout in the future and remain in the EU.
So, he fended off Grexit. A year later, on the same week he commented on Brexit, Tsipras met with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. He had just secured another round of bailout funds, this time of €7.5billion.
The two leaders discussed Greece progress in a meeting that was described as “exceptionally cordial.” Juncker assured the public that the Commission was a “friend to Greece,” and on the subject of the refugee crisis declared:
“I am taking this opportunity to express my admiration for the Greek people. An outside observer cannot know or imagine the burden they have had to shoulder. This is why no one should disparage them. I demand respect of the Greeks’ dignity.”
Greece had met its obligations, and talks about debt relief and collective labour laws must be rebooted, Tsipras said after the meeting. The latter issue has been a thorn in SYRIZA’s side. Collective bargaining was severely undermined by consecutive bailout agreements and has not been restored since.
If you liked this post, please click on the ❤ below to recommend it to your friends, and follow us to catch the next one. Thanks!
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
If you have any corrections, ideas, or even profanities to share, feel free to email us info@athenslive.gr
