Former prime minister Alexis Tsipras formally re-entered the political realm Tuesday, heralding a new party named Greek Left Alliance (ELAS) that he said offers a “compass for a new Greece” and a “new patriotism inextricably linked to social justice.”
In a long-awaited move ahead of general elections set for next year, the former SYRIZA leader announced the name of his new party after a 40-minute speech delivered on a large round podium in Thiseio, central Athens, with the illuminated Acropolis serving as a backdrop.
“Our declaration today marks the beginning of a new collective effort to create a broad progressive alliance,” said Tsipras during his address.
He said the new party was the convergence “of the three historic currents” that constitute the modern left: “the radical left, social democracy and political ecology.”
“This is the governing left of the new era,” he said, to the thousands of supporters – whom he referred to as “comrades” and “friends” – in attendance at the launch, which was broadcast live on television and on social media.
