Statement by Alexis Tsipras on the result of the elections

My Fellow Greeks,

One and a half month ago, we embarked together on a hard and fascinating voyage, to defend the dignity and pride of the Greek people.

To put an end to the memoranda of austerity and impoverishment of the people.

To blaze a trail of hope, to halt the course of Europe towards its destruction and dissolution.

We gave this fight with tenacity and self-denial, against an unprecedented attack of blackmailing, distortion and psychological terrorism.

An unholy alliance of the powers of the past, within the country and abroad, did all they could to staunch the longing of our people for social justice and for a life with dignity.

We are proud to have shouldered this burden and this responsibility.

We are happy for the endurance and the support of such a large part of our people who multiplied our rates within one month and a half.

This is a unique feat of a people in the recent history of the entire Europe.

Although SYRIZA did not manage to ensure the first place, it has now become the main branch of the popular, progressive and anti-memorandum majority.

A while ago, I called Mr. Samaras on the phone and congratulated him. He has the opportunity to form a government towards the direction of his own program choices.

We will be present in these developments from the position of the main opposition.

Not only will we not abandon whatever chances of claims arise from the intervention of the people in the developments and from the strong presence of SYRIZA, to the followers of the memorandum, but rather we will demand from the government, from our position of a responsible and combatant opposition, to utilize them to the benefit of the people.

In any case, everyone should know that the austerity measures and the measures to sell the public wealth cannot be implemented since they are deprived of legitimacy.

Our people have condemned the memorandum twice over a month’s time. They have forced all political parties to admit that it is a non-viable financial plan.

Its rejection has become a clear and repeated mandate given by the people.

And the government that will be formed having the New Democracy party at its core must take seriously in account the fact that in significant and key issues they cannot proceed without our consent.

They cannot proceed to a policy that will stand in complete incongruity with the people’s will.

My fellow Greeks,

We will be vindicated by the developments.

Our proposal for the reversal of the austerity memoranda in Europe constitutes the only viable solution, not only for the people of Greece but for the peoples of the entire Europe.

From Monday morning we will continue our struggle.

The future does not belong to those who are terrified but to those who bring hope.

The new day for Greece has dawned.

I thank you all.