A year after large promises made during the 80th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the leader of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Alexis Tsipras is back at the scene where he first made pledges that guaranteed him victory in the January 25 elections.

Here are some of the points he made during his speech:

* He praised the TIF for its growth and importance in these times.

* The deep crisis that has plagued Greece will not run for long. The views of the old system and factors of Greece that creatively battle and seek a new position in the world stage. He pointed out that production is important and should be of primary importance, taking a dig at cartels and oligarchies that don’t allow for meritocracy.

* He tallied the last seven months and his government’s efforts despite the difficult conditions. He pointed to the opposition’s “propaganda” that SYRIZA’s goal was to get Greece out of the euro. Seeing that this was not the case, they are now comparing SYRIZA with SYRIZA and not with themselves.

Evaluation of his governance:

* The 1st pylon of SYRIZA’s program is already effective to deal with the humanitarian crisis. He pointed to the free electricity, food card, free medicine and other programs. The 2nd pylon that concerned tax breaks was not completed due to the difficult situation, however some of the plan, such as the 100 debt settlement, was enforced. He pointed to the 100,000 unemployed people already in government-funded programs and for more positions being prepared. He referred to the opening of ERT. Cleaners, school security staff, health officials and others were rehired for the better operation of the system. The government has called for the payment of media licenses that no previous government had dared to do. All the above was implemented with harsh negotiations in the backdrop.

* “Europe is not the same after our harsh negotiations and the agreement we achieved with our lenders,” said Tsipras, pointing to the rallies around the world. Greeks stopped being viewed as the “lazy people” but the nation that battles for its rights. “For the first time in modern European history the dogma of harsh fiscal adjustment was questioned,” he said, adding that the bailout agreement meant an end to the Grexit.

* “The new agreement can secure funds worth as much as 83 bln euros for a three-year period.” He outlined what the government achieved in the 3rd Bailout: (1) Lower fiscal targets in the bailout in 20 bln euros over the next four-year period. (2) Funding from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). (3) An institutional restructuring of the debt.

* Tsipras signaled the implementation of the Katseli law, changes to deontology code of banks etc.

* He pointed to the battle that Tsipras and former FinMin Euclid Tsakalotos had put up to ensure that the 50-bn-euro fund would stay in Greece. He said that the needs of the country were placed above the party. The challenge is to manage to exploit the assets without having to sell them off.

* Workers Rights: The rules are still open and the government pledges to be in accordance with laws of the International Labor Organization. He pointed to the previous conservative New Democracy party’s commitment to liberalize dismissals and liberalize labor laws. SYRIZA managed to take these agreements off the table.

* The PM pointed to the pressure by EU partners, pushing Greece to sign harsh Draconian laws.

* He warned that the ND still want to sell off Greece’s assets and cancel media licensing regulations being pushed through. Furthermore, he pointed to his government’s efforts to take legal action against deputies, but that ND would wish to cancel this in an effort to protect their own people. “If ND returns to power, you can be sure that so would the network of corruption that has plagued the country for 40 years.”

New Program

10 key interventions to support production relying on three pylons

* Fixing cash flow problems

* Farming

* A plan

Helping SMEs so that they can make the leap beyond Greece’s borders – Reinforcing education and innovation – Adjusting Farming development etc.
He called on Greek people to continue the battle that was already begun on January 25. He said that people’s struggle for justice would not be a “parenthesis”. He said that the Greek people would not put out the “fire” and hope of people but put an end to the power that destroyed the economy of the country.