Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis launched a sharp critique against former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his new political party during Monday’s (22.06.2026) press briefing, reigniting debate over SYRIZA’s 2015 governance and policy choices. He also targeted PASOK and its leader Nikos Androulakis for their criticism of the government’s handling of rising living costs, accusing them of populism and distorting factual realities.
‘They Played Our Country’s Fate on the Dice’
Marinakis’ most pointed remarks followed recent comments by Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras regarding a potential parallel currency. ‘We’re talking about pivotal moments,’ he said. ‘Mr. Tsipras and his circle consciously gambled with our country’s fate — rolling the dice. We’re still waiting for answers.’ His statement brought renewed focus to the tense negotiations of 2015 and the long-term consequences, as the government sees them, of that administration’s decisions.
‘They Want to Take From Everyone’
The spokesperson was especially critical of tax proposals floated by figures from the left-wing coalition ELAS. ‘Mr. Tsipras’s hypocrisy is now clear,’ Marinakis argued. ‘While in power, he imposed 30 taxes on low- and middle-income earners — yet levied no taxes on superyachts, engaged minimally with shipowners, and avoided targeting any group he now claims he wants to penalize.’
He added that ‘Tsipras and his allies remain unchanged — identical in substance and approach,’ stressing that ‘their sole concern is where to find money, by imposing more taxes.’
‘They don’t mean what they say. They want to take from everyone,’ he stated, contrasting the opposition’s stance with the government’s strategy of lowering taxes and stimulating economic activity. Elsewhere, he described the philosophical divide between the two sides as ‘chaos,’ saying the opposition seeks to ‘take from one pocket to give back a tenth,’ while the government aims to grow the economy through investment and expansion.
‘Tsipras Brought in the Funds’
Marinakis also pushed back against opposition proposals concerning non-performing loans (NPLs), calling the rhetoric ‘deeply offensive’ to borrowers who pay on time or have entered into restructuring agreements to protect their assets. He noted that tens of thousands of vulnerable debtors are already covered by such arrangements.
He further sought to reframe criticism of recent property auctions, stating: ‘Tsipras is the prime minister who lifted the…’