Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accused Europe’s political class of surrendering the continent to the IMF and austerity during a speech in Rome’s “La Sapienza” University.
“We are at a critical moment because these days Greece is on the front line of a battle that concerns all of Europe. We are fighting to restore collective labour agreements in our country, to end the exemption status now and once and for all in the future,” he said.
Tsipras accused Europe of not defending its heritage and social model warning that it has become almost exclusively an area of austerity, of deregulation of social and labour rights and of closed borders for political refugees and migrants.
“Neoliberalism has almost devoured Europe,” he said, adding that “it’s the neoliberal management of the economic crisis that augmented the existing inequalities and asymmetries within our countries and between them. It took the form of a systemic attack of the capital against labour,” he explained.
During his speech Tsipras also noted the divisions created between the people of Northern and Southern Europe, courtesy of the stereotypes advocated by sections of the media and political class.
“Thankfully it is few [people] who want to hide the economic inequality caused by neoliberalism behind a non-existent cultural division. They do it by resorting to ridiculous stereotypes and prejudiced rhetoric of a ‘prudent North’ and an ‘irresponsible South’,” he said.
He then openly criticised Eurogroup president Jeroen Dijsselbloem for his recent comments about debt-ridden nations wasting money on “booze and women”.
“When budget deficits are high, the euro area requires action to reduce public spending. Therefore, shouldn’t Mr. Dijsselbloem, instead making foolish and sexist comments on ‘booze and women’ ask Germany to increase public spending, given its high current account surpluses?” he asked.
