Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras delivered a powerful address at the 2nd International Conference on Democracy and Social Justice on Tuesday, organized by the Alexis Tsipras Institute, where he issued a compelling call for a “new patriotism against oligarchy and kleptocracy.”
Tsipras underscored the urgent need for a “new vision and a new movement” from progressive forces to counter prevailing challenges both domestically and internationally.
Critique of government and the need for an alternative
Tsipras sharply criticized the current Mitsotakis government, asserting it is creating a “society of the one-fifth”—a reference to widening societal inequalities.
He stressed the collective responsibility of progressive and left-wing forces to forge a credible alternative, acknowledging the opposition’s current inability to present a cohesive solution.
“There is no magic key to open the door to another Greece; we must find it or create it all together,” Tsipras stated, emphasizing the necessity of a five-year restructuring and development plan and a vision capable of mobilizing “the world of work and creation.”
Tsipras: Global challenges and the rise of the far right
The former Prime Minister provided a comprehensive analysis of the international landscape, highlighting the rise of “extreme authoritarian and neoliberal capitalism,” which he believes fuels the global Far Right. He called for a coordinated reaction from left-wing and progressive forces, noting the critical juncture facing Europe and the world.
Tsipras warned of the increasing power of these forces, observing their spread in society and their ascent to governance on both sides of the Atlantic.
He pointed to the potential re-election of President Trump as a pivotal moment that could fundamentally alter the post-World War II and post-Cold War framework of international relations.
Tsipras argued that this trend exploits weaknesses in the liberal international order, citing “the tragic consequences of Western interventions in the Middle East and Afghanistan or the failure of NATO policy in Ukraine” and ultimately leading to the imposition of the “right of the strong” over international law.
Tsipras outlines a progressive agenda for Greece
Tsipras then outlined a multi-faceted progressive agenda for Greece, underpinned by a series of crucial conditions.
A new national plan
He also called for a new national plan for reorganization and reconstruction with a five-year horizon, aiming for “development, resilience, security but also for justice, institutions, democracy, trust, and solidarity.” This plan, he emphasized, must inspire and mobilize citizens.
A new vision and movement
Tsipras articulated the need for a “moral, social, and political initiative” that transcends individual progressive parties. This movement, he argued, must reconnect with citizens disillusioned by the political system, counter far-right demagoguery, and motivate them to engage.
Unifying resistance and a new patriotism
He envisioned a “new social and political wave” that effectively unites diverse resistance movements. With “the needs of the homeland as a compass,” this wave would provide “motivation, inspiration, an alternative to tired citizens.” It is within this context that he introduced the concept of a “new patriotism…against oligarchy and kleptocracy.”
Tsipras starkly defined the modern societal dividing line: “On the one hand, our homeland, on the other, their wealth.” This patriotism, he clarified, stands against policies and practices that exacerbate inequalities and injustice.
Countering authoritarian capitalism
Tsipras warned that the far-right, often in alliance with conservative or neoliberal parties, proposes a model of “authoritarian capitalism” that borrows from global authoritarian regimes.
This model is characterized by “permanent tax cuts for the oligarchs and [transfers] the burden without any changes to low and middle incomes, with cuts to the welfare state and high indirect taxation,” he argued and added that it directly threatens both democracy and justice in Greece by fostering a “society of gaps.”
Tsipras’ address underscored a passionate plea for unity among progressive forces and a renewed sense of national purpose to confront both domestic socio-economic challenges and the global surge of authoritarianism.
Related: Alexis Tsipras and Bernie Sanders Warn on the Power of Oligarchs in Global Politics
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