Alexis Tsipras slates Greek government after visit to Evosmos

“I hear the government talking about 24 billion euros. Where are they all?” main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras asked on Thursday, following his meetings with shop keepers in Evosmos, Thessaloniki.

The shopkeepers described the great difficulties they face on a daily basis since they reopened their shops after the lockdown to avoid spreading Covid-19.

Tsipras said the market needed to be supported with working capital and liquidity and said that SYRIZA will press the government to deliver, after shopkeepers complained that they did not have access to loans or faced steep interest rates for any loans received.

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The main opposition leader walked about the Evosmos high street and spoke with several business owners, as well as with young people in the area. There was also a brief meeting with the mayor of Kordelio in Evosmos, Kleanthis Mandalianos.

Market restart to bring “recession and unemployment”

Last month, the SYRIZA leader criticised the Greek government’s economic plan to deal with the aftermath of the coronavirus restrictions, saying it will bring recession and unemployment.

The plan involves spending $19.2 billion to help laid-off workers and businesses required to shut during the lockdown.

Read More: Tsipras slams Greek government’s handling of market restart

However, speaking at a SYRIZA party meeting, Tsipras said the economic initiative was “an opportunity to promote a tough anti-popular agenda for the benefit of a small business elite.”

“The coming recession will be the result of Mitsotakis’ inertia, timidity and inability to anticipate the real needs of the economy,” Tsipras said.

“It may even lead to snap national elections which would serve as a chance to elect a progressive government.”

Sourced: ANA-MPA/The Greek Herald