A senior official from ELAS, the newly formed left-wing party led by former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, has ignited fierce political debate after proposing a heavy tax targeting swimming pools, yachts and residents of ultra-luxury apartments and hotels in Athens.

Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has launched his new party under the name Greek Left Coalition — ELAS — with opinion polls already placing the fledgling movement in a dead heat with the socialist PASOK party for second place in Greek politics.

The children of a well-known politician, former SYRIZA minister, were arrested yesterday Monday afternoon (8/9) on Charilaou Trikoupi Street in Exarchia.