Tsipras Says Samaras In Panic Mode

Major opposition Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) Alexis Tsipras said a decision by Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras ruling out any possibility of a coalition shows the Premier is panicking while trying to hold together a disintegrating partnership with the PASOK Socialists.
Speaking to his supporters and denouncing Samaras again for backing austerity measures demanded by international lenders in return for $325 billion in two bailouts to keep the economy from collapsing, Tsipiras said his agenda of “Youth, democracy, and workers.” He offered no clue how he would govern a broke country if he comes to power and reneges on paying back the loans.
“See the basic representative of the old and the worn, Mr. Samaras. He cannot hide his fear. And this fear which is also the fear of the interests he expresses, dictate spasmodic movements, spasmodic policies, spasmodic strategies, spasmodic propaganda.
“But when panic becomes the policy of those in charge then the country enters a high-danger zone. And the danger Mr. Samaras and his partners represent is even bigger because they are spoiled,” he said.
With SYRIZA showing leads over New Democracy in recent polls that also showed PASOK on the edge of extinction, Tspiras said the ruling parties will be repudiated elections in May for Greek municipalities and the European Parliament and he will come to power.
That was said before Samaras ruled out forming a governing coalition with leftist SYRIZA, adding that the power-sharing administration aims to complete its four-year term.
“SYRIZA is saying ‘no’ to everything. It is not harming the government only, but the country as well. There is absolutely no room for cooperation,” Samaras told his conservative MPs.
Tsipiras, who has been sniping from the sidelines, took another shot at Samaras and the ruling groups. “They believe in showing every way that power belongs to them through the mercy of God – that’s where recently they involved the Almighty in their political dispute. They believe and show in every way that authority belongs to their particular aristocracy.”
He continued: “He went to the Parliament to gather the parameters of his parliamentary group which is decomposing under the weight of the memorandum policy.
“His members of Parliament are serving a penalty, this is obvious for each one. They cannot take it anymore, they openly declare it. And what did the President of New Democracy do? A public manifestation of panic, that’s what he did.”
In another blast at Samaras, he said that, “He was going on for 20 minutes explaining why he can’t govern with SYRIZA! He was cursing on the opposition for 20 minutes with his well-known nondescript style. ‘Co-govern with them like some people dream of? Of course not!’ he said of Samaras’ characterization.
His attack prompted a reaction from government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou, who slammed the opposition’s “insults and slander.” PASOK, the junior coalition partner, also accused Tsipras of “demagoguery.”
In a statement, the Socialist party said Tsipras has tied his political fate “to the existence and perpetuation of the memorandum. Without it, he has nothing to say,” it said.