The debate between former Prime Minister and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras and New Democracy head Vangelis Meimarakis on public broadcaster ERT, was a lively exchange of accusations and vague electoral promises.
Alexis Tsipras reiterated his position that he will not cooperate with New Democracy and said that they only way to secure national stability would be for Syriza to win a clear majority and form again a government with the support of Independent Greeks (ANEL).
“There will either be a progressive government or a conservative government,” Tsipras said.
Vangelis Meimarakis was more open to form a coalition government with Syriza that will bring political stability, will implement the bail out agreement and will generate growth in the country.
The New Democracy head said that the Greek people want the two major political parties to cooperate: “Greeks demand a national team, they want us to cooperate, to create a new plan on how the country will be governed; a national negotiating team.” he said.
The former Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, said that the previous government of socialist Pasok and conservative New Democracy, that were ruling the country for 40 years, did nothing to fight corruption and tax evasion.
Meimarakis returned the argument saying that the Syriza -ANEL administration did nothing to fight corruption during the seven months in the office.
He also accused Alexis Tsipras of hypocrisy and told him not to promise to the Greek people a debt write-off because such a clause does not exist in the bail out terms.
The conservative leader promised to unblock major investment projects, -if elected.
“We will absorb EU funds, we will move ahead with all major projects; we start work on Monday.”
Although the debate was lively, spirits remained calm. After the debate Alexis Tsipras said that it was a more informative and interesting procedure.