At the first meeting of sector heads of the Greek Left Coalition (ELAS) — held on Friday, 26 June — former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged members to steer clear of political ‘traps’ laid by opponents. Speaking at the outset of his address, Tsipras congratulated those appointed to leadership roles, emphasizing that their responsibilities extend far beyond party positions.
A Call for Responsibility and Purpose
‘I want to congratulate you — not because you’ve assumed a party office, as is often said in such cases, but because you’ve accepted a serious responsibility,’ Tsipras said. ‘A responsibility toward the citizens who embraced our movement from day one, toward our country, and toward history — which, I assure you, will be demanding and strict with us.’
Tsipras framed ELAS as part of a broader political renewal, describing its members — alongside tens of thousands of volunteers — as ‘co-passengers in a new political venture.’ He stressed that the initiative is not about claiming offices or privileges, but about contributing effort, dedication, courage, and perseverance.
Public Expectations Are High
He underscored the expectations placed on ELAS by the Greek public: ‘The Greek people — who work hard every day, only to see their efforts eroded by high living costs, disorganization, and corruption — are watching us, judging us, and waiting for answers from us, more than from anyone else.’
The public, he added, does not want ‘shadowy’ figures — but real, three-dimensional, resolute leaders who remain close to citizens in both word and action. ‘They expect work — work, and more work,’ he said.
A Clear Alternative to Current Governance
Tsipras argued that the political cycle under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has clearly ended, and that voters now look to ELAS for a credible alternative vision and plan — one that improves everyday life. ‘We must convince people that we possess the political self-awareness, seriousness, determination, and programmatic clarity to succeed — and to change our country’s course,’ he stated.
He called on ELAS members to stand firm in upholding their principles while remaining genuinely useful to the people. ‘We will succeed in staying true to our values — and, above all, serving our people,’ he concluded, offering his best wishes for the work ahead.