Tsipras calls again for debate

The people's patience is running out and on May 18 and 25 they would send out a message of change and overturning its ‘terrorists,’" main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) president Alexis Tsipras said during his speech in an open election rally in the central square in Kozani, western Macedonia.

Tsipras attacked the prime minister Antonis Samaras, charging that the premier “is hiding behind the curtains of Maximou Building” and refuses to sit at a debate with him.

SYRIZA accused Antonis Samaras of being afraid to face Alexis Tsipras after the ND leader rejected the challenged for a TV debate ahead of critical polls.

The SYRIZA leader added that Samaras “does not dare to come out to talk with the people, with his political opponents… He exists only in articles in Sunday newspapers, proclamations, television channels and opinion polls carried out by vested interests."

Commenting on SYRIZA leader’s speech in Kozani on Sunday evening, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou said “it is not worth answering to an uncontrollable tirade.” 

The spokesman said that Tsipras drifted to characterize neo-Nazis all European Union leaders who met with the new prime minister of the Ukraine in Brussels.

SYRIZA has tendered a proposal for two debates between prime minister Antonis Samaras and main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras. The request was tabled at a meeting between the government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou and the SYRIZA press representative Panos Skourletis.

SYRIZA has requested one debate on the economy, the mid term plan, and the memorandum, and another on national and European issues. “We are awaiting for the official response from Mr Samaras,” noted the announcement from SYRIZA.

New Democracy said no, adding that the proposal should have been made when the all-party committee met to discuss elections details, including party funding. The panel, however, has been disbanded after completing its work head of the local elections on May 18 and 25 and the European Parliament vote on May 25.

ND spokeswoman Anna-Michel Asimakopoulou then issued a statement attacking SYRIZA for making the request and pointing out that Tsipras, who is also the European Left’s candidate for European Commission President, had failed to take part in two debates this week with rival hopefuls for that office.