Alexis Tsipras, the leader of the Greek Left Alignment (ELAS), has presented a ten-year National Reconstruction Plan for Greece during an address to a packed audience at a hotel in central Thessaloniki.
Speaking ahead of the annual Thessaloniki International Fair, the former prime minister outlined economic proposals that include a new wealth tax on high net worth individuals, sweeping business tax cuts, and statutory wage increases for workers across the country.
Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece and a major economic center in the northern region of Central Macedonia, traditionally serves as the stage for Greek political leaders to launch key policy platforms ahead of the autumn legislative season. Tsipras led the Greek government from 2015 to 2019 during the final years of international bailout programs.
Addressing criticism regarding the timing of his address, Tsipras remarked that the next time he visits Thessaloniki, he would ask the prime minister when he should speak, whether before or after him.
He rejected accusations from political opponents that the ELAS economic strategy was overpriced, pointing out that critics who bankrupted the nation and their own political parties were judging his record. Tsipras noted that his former administration brought Greece out of financial bailouts, restructured the national debt, and left 37 billion euros in cash reserves in the state treasury. He added that those who calculate the costs of others would eventually face their own evaluation.
Governance Model and Election Framework
Outlining a new model of governance, Tsipras stated that the fundamental choice facing voters at the next general election is between corruption and honesty. He called for an end to what he described as a rotten political system, asserting that Greece requires a moral revolution built on transparency, oversight, and accountability.
Tsipras criticized the sitting government for managing an economy characterized by depressed wages, weak national production, and wealth concentrated among a small minority. He called for a shift in national strategy, advocating a new model of production, a redefined economic compass, and a pledge to transform those changes into a concrete governance plan.
Evaluating the government seven-year tenure, Tsipras argued that despite holding an absolute parliamentary majority, sufficient time, and access to unprecedented European development funds, the administration had produced a major lost opportunity. He asked whether Greek citizens are living better today than they did in 2019, stating that most people find life harder now even without formal bailout agreements in place.
Tax Reforms and Fiscal Proposals
To promote fiscal fairness, Tsipras announced plans to establish a Patriotic Contribution targeting the wealthiest one percent of Greek citizens. Under the proposal, individuals in this tier would pay an annual levy of one euro for every one hundred euros of net wealth, which would replace other general property taxes currently levied on the same assets.
Tsipras also pledged to double the tax deduction for families with children, arguing that citizens carrying disproportionate financial burdens should pay less. For the business sector, he promised to abolish the annual trade tax imposed on all enterprises, eliminate advance tax payments for sole proprietorships, and reduce advance tax rates for corporate entities.
Labor Market Policy and Regional Development
Turning to labor policy, Tsipras committed to raising the national minimum wage to 1,000 euros within 2027. He further pledged that a full-time basic salary would reach 1,800 euros by the end of a four-year governing term.
Addressing the future of Thessaloniki, Tsipras set out a vision for the city to become a green, functional, and resilient Balkan metropolis. He proposed establishing a strong multilateral framework for trade and economic cooperation with neighboring Balkan nations, centered around the northern port city.
The plan involves connecting regional rail, port, energy, and transport infrastructure to establish Thessaloniki as a major production and transit hub for Southeastern Europe. Tsipras stated that the port, airport, railway system, road network, and logistics facilities of the metropolitan area would operate under a single integrated system.
He linked major infrastructure development directly to daily urban life, economic growth, climate protection, and public living standards. Specific projects proposed under the plan include a metropolitan transit network, the expansion of the Thessaloniki Metro into the western suburbs, and a unified master plan to redevelop the city waterfront.
Political Attendance and Civic Leaders
The presentation was attended by prominent civic officials, business representatives, and political figures from across Greece. Notable attendees included Stelios Angeloudis, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, and Giorgos Kavvathas, president of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (GSEVEE).
Other business leaders present included Giannis Chatzitheodosiou of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen, Kyriakos Merelis of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Tradesmen, Marios Papadopoulos of the Thessaloniki Craftsmen Chamber, Pantelis Filippidis of the Thessaloniki Traders Association, and Angelos Kountourgiannis of the Federation of Craftsmen Associations. Independent and former members of parliament in attendance included A. Linou, K. Vetta, B. Skoufa, M. Zamparas, F. Ozgour, K. Notopoulou, G. Karameros, S. Kedikoglou, V. Kokkalis, D. Avgeri, Angelos Tolkas, and Kostas Zachariadis.
