“I’m afraid we are at a difficult crossroads. Europe has reached a predictable crisis because of the democratic deficit, because of the absence of social cohesion and solidarity. I hope that the outcome of the British referendum will work as a wakeup call for Europe” Mr. Tsipras told journalists.
“In any case, it is necessary to take brave decisions in order to make Europe more attractive to its people. It is necessary to take emergency initiatives in order to replace austerity with growth, division with convergence, unemployment with decent jobs and endless negotiations behind closed doors with transparency and democracy” he added.
While attending the Party of European Socialists (PES) summit as an observer, Greek Prime Minister, whose party is left, noted a broader issue with the rise of the far-right in Europe and stressed the need to form a “progressive pole” that will make a bid for leadership, the sources added.
The Greek premier also raised an issue of “different standards in the treatment of member-states” during his address, comparing what he said was an “exceptionally polite” reaction to the referendum held in Britain with the more “hostile” approach afforded to the referendum in Greece.
Lastly, Tsipras raised an issue of democratic legitimacy in the negotiations with London, saying that the European Commission and the European Parliament must be actively involved in the process, which must not take the form of intergovernmental agreements not involving EU institutions.