Former Greek anti-austerity leader Alexis Tsipras steps back into politics

Alexis Tsipras, Greece’s former anti-austerity prime minister, returned to politics on Tuesday by launching the Greek Left Alliance, a new left-wing party, at an outdoor event near the Acropolis. The 51-year-old leader, who previously led Greece through its debt crisis, accused the center-right government of worsening income inequality and prioritizing a pro-business agenda. Tsipras, who ruled from 2015 to 2019, aims to attract voters from opposition parties, particularly younger and lower-income groups struggling with rising living costs. His new platform emphasizes affordable housing, stronger labor protections, and economic inequality, while also criticizing the government’s ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite Greece’s fragmented opposition landscape—with seven parties in parliament—Tsipras’ return marks a significant shift. Mitsotakis, the incumbent conservative prime minister, remains popular due to steady economic growth and falling unemployment, though his administration faces a corruption scandal and public discontent over rising costs. Tsipras’ supporters credit him with shielding ordinary Greeks during Greece’s financial crisis, while critics argue he compromised on austerity measures after initially opposing them. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis dismissed Tsipras’ efforts as lacking substance, stating his past record would continue to define him. The opposition landscape is further complicated by new entrants, including an anti-corruption party launched by the mother of a victim from Greece’s 2023 rail disaster. With elections approaching, Tsipras’ move signals a potential realignment in Greece’s political dynamics.