Tsipras: “We will fight not to make the habit loss in this place”

Criticism of the government for the management of the pandemic in 2020, is exercised by the president of SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras in his New Year’s message.Stresses that “our country was faced with the pandemic, having at its helm people who never believed in the value of the social state. And when the pandemic came, unfortunately, they didn’t change priorities.”
 Mr Tsipras addresses the frontline people most tested by the consequences of the health and economic crisis, saying that “to all of them we owe support and a big thank you. And a commitment that we will fight from the first day of the new year, so as not to make the loss habit in this place.” Particular reference is also made to national issues in view of the 200th anniversary of the revolution. Noting that 2021 will be a difficult year not only because of the pandemic but also because of the defence of our sovereign rights, he notes that “only if we walk with a compass our values can we overcome all challenges and difficulties. The great values that became synonymous with Greece and the struggles of the Greek people, the Republic, freedom, solidarity, justice, are the values that today show us the way.” 
Alexis Tsipras’s full message reads: “We are leaving behind a very difficult year that has tested the strengths of every Greek family. The pandemic has violently changed everyone’s lives. The price we paid is already heavy. And it forces us to reassess our priorities. Some people for years have been trying to convince us that Public Health, Public Education, the social state, research, science, cannot stand on their own without serving profit. But today, we all realize that human life is above all else. 
Our country was confronted with the pandemic, with people at its helm who never believed in the value of the social state. And when the pandemic came, unfortunately, they didn’t change priorities. Instead of rushing to strengthen the NHS, they rushed to blame the citizens. To the young, to the workers, to the shopkeepers, to the parents. To the people of everyday life who give the difficult struggle of survival.
But all these people do not deserve to be targeted, but a strong and humane state that will support them in the great difficulties they are going through. And especially the people on the front line. The doctors and nurses. Supermarket workers, couriers, cleaning, public transport. The people next door who selflessly help and support our most vulnerable fellow citizens. 
We owe them all the support and a big thank you. And a commitment. Especially the families of our fellow citizens who lost their lives. The commitment that we will fight from the first day of the new year, not to make the habit loss in this place. Don’t let others get lost because they didn’t have money to take the test on time, because they got stuck because of overcrowding on a bus or at their workplace, or because there was no bed available to be hospitalized. The commitment that we will fight to protect the weakest, fight inequalities and build a strong society and an economy that serves people and the needs of the social majority. 2021 will also be a difficult year. 
With great challenges for our country. Not only for the management of the pandemic but also for the defence of our sovereign rights. In the 200 years since the Revolution of 1821, we must know that only if we walk with a compass can we overcome all challenges and difficulties. The great values that became synonymous with Greece and the struggles of the Greek people, the Republic, freedom, solidarity, justice, are the values that today show us the way. Let us follow them, leaving behind those who condemn us to darkness and regression. It will be the first step in the new rebirth of our country. I wish from the heart health and strength to every Greek and every Greek.”