Statement – Tsipras intervention for non-state universities: “Government attempts reactionary rematch, bypassing Constitution”

In a statement – intervention on the bill on which it is passed today, Friday (08.03. 24) the former Prime Minister went to Parliament. In his statement Alexis Tsipras launches “fire” against the government for the bill on non-state universities, stressing among others that “the government is currently attempting a reactionary rematch, bypassing the spirit and letter of the Constitution.” “This is another step on the downhill of the systematic devaluation of institutions, even of the Constitution itself, by a government that every time it is launched, he simply replies that it was elected with 41%,” Mr. Tsipras points out in the same statement. And he concludes: “That’s why, even if the establishment – despite the Constitution – of private and speculative universities, becomes state law today, one thing is certain: It will not thrive.” More specifically, Mr Tsipras’s announcement reads as follows: “From 15% for Education of the 1960s to Bread-Children- Freedom of the Polytechnic and the struggles of their students, students and teachers in the younger years, the struggles for public and free Education has always been interwoven with the struggles of our people for democracy, freedom and justice. Because a society that does not give everyone the equal right to education is a society doomed to decline. The Mitsotakis government is currently attempting a reactionary rematch. It regulates the possibility of establishing speculative private universities, bypassing the spirit and letter of the Constitution. Why have all these years, since the early nineties, while the ND has consistently supported the establishment of private universities, has it ever thought of moving forward or proposing their legislation without revision of Article 16? It is another step in the background of the systematic depreciation of institutions, even of the Constitution itself, by a government that every time it is set up, it simply answers that it was elected with 41%. In particular, this is another opportunity to profit from our interests. So long, it cannot wait for the three years required for the next Constitutional review. But Education is a very serious national case for democratic people, young people, teachers, parents, the academic community at the mercy of government arrogance and speculation. No reform in higher education, as necessary, can be done without serious dialogue with all stakeholders and society. Without the material means to implement it. Without the necessary social consensus. Therefore, even if the establishment – despite the Constitution – of private and speculative universities, becomes the law of the state today, one thing is certain: It will not thrive.”