by Alexis Tsipras
Greece finally made it to return to normality and growth. Exit the austerity measures is now visible, clear and irreversible.
After last week’s deal on Eurogroup, that point is a fixed date – it is next Summer.
Summer of 2018.
But the return to normality hasn’t been itself an easy process.
As since January 2015, when the Left wing took charge, we have been governing the country under conditions of constant financial blackmail by our creditors.
But our political choice has always been clear, consistent and steady throughout all these years: not let Greece fall apart. Not risk the reputation of the Left Party in Europe.
This is why we absolutely disagreed on taking ownership of the austerity policies.
This is why we never stopped fighting to imply simultaneously a parallel program which protects the more vulnerable ones.
This is why we never settled with the idea that a democratically elected government cannot only imply laws itself, of always in the context of common agreements, but with her own choices as well.
We defended thus vigorously the sacrifices of the Greeks – particularly the poor, the low incomes and the unemployed.
We never considered to escape from the political responsibility that the Greeks trusted in us.
We never considered to deliver Greece to those who represent corrupted interests, to the oligarchy that promises a future of endless austerity, social insecurity and unemployment.
Allow me to say, that it is now the very first time, after the tough July of 2015 we feel justified in our choice to stay and fight.
By creating allies in the European context, negotiating hard, attempting to open windows of hope in the dark of the European establishment.
Nowadays that neoliberalism has taken over Europe, no one is spare in the battle to change Europe.
We need the participation of all the democratic and progressive forces that are willing to take part in the fight, without excluding anyone, the Left wing, the Greens, the Social Democrats.
And the Social Democrats, need to rise in front of their own historic responsibility and end the neoliberal consensus.
We need popular awakening and action to end Europe of massive unemployment, of explosive poverty and inequalities, Europe of social exclusion and low public investment. The low financial and social heritage of European crisis addresses to action.
Status quo in Europe, which was rejected over the British referendum, remains the main source of Euro-skepticism and of the rise of far Right.
It is connected to the erosion of the citizens’ trust regarding their national political systems, which look incapable of dealing with the economic and migrant crisis.
It is connected to the increasing inequalities and insecurity of the European middle classes.
It is connected to a crisis of political representation of the lower classes, which have been the very first victims of the austerity politics, promoted by EU and now are the first victims of stereotypes, far Right xenophobia and nationalism.
The way it is today, EU is not inspiring nor attractive.
And inaction means, sooner or later, collapse.
We ought to organize the end of an era for Europe.
By promoting a realistic political plan for a Europe “closer than ever” to its citizens.
By reconnecting the European Integration with the fundamental principles of Democracy, equality and solidarity.
The only way out is the democratic, social and eco-friendly re-establishment of Europe.
This is a battle that deserves to fight and it is worth asking for that a collective partnership of all the progressive forces.
After the failed G7 Summit in Bari a few days ago, Angela Merkel stated that Europe needs to “take fate in her own hands”.
But to make that feasible, the fate of the peoples of Europe has to be mutual.
And this fate cannot be mutual when a “wall made of money” divides the European South from the European North.
When the financial and social distance among the European family member states grows and when inequalities within the European societies widen.
When a generation’s fate is being defined by the strict austerity of german inspiration, the exceptive situation from the European social and work acquis.
Or when it is defined by geography, when it comes to management of the refugee crisis.
Europe will take its fate in its own hands when its people take Europe in their own hands.
When Europe turns into a matter of her citizens – not just of a few technocrats, the way it is today.
When Europe becomes a matter of Democracy for all.
And when Europe enables to handle its own parallel crises - the economic, the refugee and the security one – collectively and effectively.
But if we want this to happen, we need to abandon at least the ideas beyond the treaties, such as “Europe of multiple speeds” or the “European core”.
Because a divided Europe would be a weak Europe.
And we will have to go deeper financially and socially.
This can happen via democratization of the Eurozone and a powerful and legally binding European pillar of social rights.
As to shift political decisions from non-institutional, intergovernmental bodies, such as Eurogroup, to European institutions with democratic legitimacy.
That is why, for us, democratization of the Eurozone doesn’t mean that we need to maintain the status quo with a legality sheet.
This is reforming the status quo.
With a new structure of governance, which subjects to democratic legitimacy and accountability.
By coordinating economic and fiscal policy with the aim of development.
By allocating fiscal risks, including issuing Eurobonds, and preventing fiscal and social exclusion.
To us, democratizing the Eurozone, means a new start for Europe.
* Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic at Progressive Caucus EP Event in Brussels
** Photo Credits: Andrea Bonetti
By: N. Peter Kramer
