The first meeting of sector leaders of the Greek Left Coalition (ELAS), chaired by Alexis Tsipras, took place on Friday afternoon, June 26.
‘A Serious Responsibility’
Addressing the gathering, Tsipras opened with a message of recognition and purpose: “I want to congratulate you—not for securing a party post, as is often said in such moments—but for accepting a serious responsibility: toward the citizens who embraced our movement from day one, toward our country, and toward history itself.”
He emphasized that ELAS members are not entering politics to claim offices or privileges, but to contribute effort, dedication, courage, and perseverance. “We are all co-travellers in a new political project—alongside tens of thousands of volunteers who have strengthened our ranks,” he said.
Public Expectations Are High
Tsipras stressed that Greek citizens—workers struggling daily amid rising costs, bureaucratic chaos, and corruption—are watching closely. “They are judging us—and expecting answers from us, more than from anyone else.”
What they expect, he explained, is not shadowy or distant leadership, but human, three-dimensional, resolute, and accessible figures—present in both word and action. They expect work—“work, work, and more work.”
They expect ELAS to stand boldly and thoughtfully against a government, Tsipras said, that “produces more injustice and more corruption than even the broken political system can absorb.”
Core Priorities
The public, he added, expects ELAS to defend justice everywhere—and to build practical, lasting solutions through dialogue, patience, expertise, and collaboration with those affected. Key areas include:
- Education and students’ future;
- Hospitals and public health;
- Working conditions and wages;
- The future of small and medium enterprises;
- Personal safety and security.
Crucially, Tsipras noted, citizens demand more than criticism—they demand concrete proposals. “A plan. Measurable steps. Realism—but also bold breaks where needed.”
He acknowledged that criticism of the current government is widespread—and increasingly easy—given its failure to tackle soaring living costs and systemic corruption. “Even ND voters are frustrated,” he observed, pointing to sharp public backlash over scandals and the erosion of the rule of law. He cited rare criticism from former ND prime ministers themselves as evidence of how deeply the crisis has cut across political lines.