An appeal to the democratic and progressive citizens to stop with their vote “an unruly and uncontrolled right, which recalls the worst memories of the past”, addressed the president of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance, Alexis Tsipras, speaking at a pre-election rally in Giannitsa, and accused the president of the New Democracy Kyriakos Mitsotakis that “he is playing dangerous games with our national issues and Mr. Erdogan will rub his hands”.

“In this ballot box we vote with hard dilemmas. We will fight until the last moment to convince the society that the SYRIZA program can give breath, perspective, can give support, can give hope for justice in this place”, said Mr. Tsipras.

Regarding the stakes of the elections, he pointed out the following: “The crucial thing for the next day is not only whether we will be able to have a government on the 26th of the month. The crucial thing for the next day is whether we will stop with our vote at the ballot box an unruly and uncontrollable right. An unruly and uncontrolled right, which recalls the worst memories of the past. They won a big victory, it’s true, in the last election, but you see how they manage this victory. With arrogance, with arrogance, with vindictiveness. They’ve come out right and left touting that their political opponents are a “national exception.” This is how they tell us, that we are citizens of reduced national and patriotic perception. That we are traitors, in two words. And I want to remind those of you who know the history of this place, to what slippery roads such practices have led. From the time of national division, the Venizelics and the anti-Venizelics until much later in the difficult times of civil strife and heartbreak, and even later. The right has always sold national pride, but in difficult times it was the one that stopped playing the rooster and played the hen, when we were facing national crises.”

“I want to say one thing in front of all of you. It is a shame to return to these dark days. It is a shame to play games with the motherland. We will not play with the country, but we will not tolerate anyone underestimating our patriotic responsibility. I want to refer to this wretchedness, the dangerous games with our national issues, which Mr. Mitsotakis has been playing with the sensitive issue of Thrace for a week now. Five days have passed since it was revealed that their own candidate, Mr. Katrantzi, in statements to the Turkish media spoke of the Muslim minority saying “the Turks of Western Thrace” and those who criticize us that the candidates of SYRIZA are the ones who are anti-Greek and have anti-national behavior, where are they to give an answer? Ask their candidate for a correction. Where is Mr. Mitsotakis the lalistatos.? Imagine how dangerous these games are. And imagine how much Erdogan will be rubbing his hands with everything that is happening these days. It is a shame to give weapons to Turkey, playing Turkey’s games in the internal political confrontation”, added the SYRIZA president

Referring to the June 25 elections, he said that SYRIZA will fight until the last moment to overturn the negative associations and noted: “We will fight until the polls close to overturn this negative association. We will fight not on behalf of our own party interest but on behalf of the society that needs a strong SYRIZA. So that the pillar of the local progressive faction can be strong in the elections and the next day. I want to commit to you one thing, we will go together to fight this battle decisively strong with optimism. SYRIZA is not a protest party. It is and will remain a party of power. We will claim every hope, every possibility at the ballot box on June 25, but we will be here in any case to make the progressive faction with the pillar of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance – very soon great and strong again. To bring perspective, hope and governmental change to this place.”

I want to call on every democrat and progressive citizen who knows that a lot is at stake in this ballot box to unite their vote, despite the reservations and disagreements they may have with SYRIZA, to unite their voice with us with our own voice because what is at stake the next day is not whether or not we will have a government. What is at stake is whether we will have an uncontrollable and unruly regime and the only force that can prevent this is a strong SYRIZA.

In closing, Mr. Tsipras said: “So, let’s go together to fight this battle and we will be together, I promise, also the next day, whatever the result. Let’s continue to fight for our values, for our ideas, for our ideals, for the society for the non-privileged citizens”.

Mr. Tsipras said that it is important that the prefecture of Pella has a SYRIZA deputy and expressed optimism that this will be achieved.

He also referred to the problems faced by the farmers of the prefecture of Pella, saying that in the last three years they suffered major disasters and ELGA compensations were non-existent. He accused the New Democracy government of discrediting ELGA while emphasizing how SYRIZA has a plan to change its operating regulations.

The president of SYRIZA walked on the central pedestrian street of Giannitsa and exchanged handshakes with citizens. Earlier he met with the mother and sister of 23-year-old Iphigenia who lost her life in the Tempe train accident and her little niece, who took the name of Iphigenia, was also present at the meeting. “We see a cover-up regarding the accident, we want justice, help,” Iphigenia’s mother told Mr Tsipras, and the SYRIZA president remarked that “those who don’t hurt quickly forget.”