The Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras submitted his resignation and called a snap election on Thursday evening, with the 20th of September being the likeliest date for the elections to take place. The PM asked the President of the Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos to appoint a provisional government, arguing that the conditions do not exist for the formation of an ecumenical government.
In his statement the Prime Minister admitted to making mistakes and omissions and requested a clear, powerful mandate in order to carry out changes with justice and transparency. Mr. Tsipras argued that the mandate he received on the 25th of January “has reached its limits” and that it was time for the people to decide who will lead Greece down “the difficult but hopeful path”, negotiate greater debt relief and carry out the necessary deep reforms.
During his statement the Prime Minister criticized Panagiotis Lafazanis and the Left Platform for turning the ‘country’s first left-wing government’ majority into a minority. He noted that he had a clear conscious and was proud for the battle he and his government gave, while repeating his claim that Europe will never be the same after the difficult past six months.
In concluding his statement Mr. Tsipras expressed his optimism and belief that “we have not yet lived the most beautiful days” and that “we will not surrender the shield of our values”. He ended by calling the people to “fight the difficult battle, get the country back on its feet and raise it up high”.
