Alexis Tsipras#Personal life

Alexios (Alexis) Tsipras was born 28 July 1974 in Athens. His father, Pavlos, was from Athamania in Epirus and was a well-off public works contractor,{{cite web|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/01/26/alexis-tsipras-greece-new-prime-minister-profile-bio/|title=Alexis Tsipras: Who is Greece's New Prime Minister? (Full Profile & Bio) - GreekReporter.com|website=greece.greekreporter.com|date=26 January 2015|access-date=17 May 2018}}{{cite web|script-title=el:Αλέξιος Παύλου Τσίπρας : ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ Κ.Ο. ΤΟΥ ΣΥΝΑΣΠΙΣΜΟΥ ΡΙΖΟΣΠΑΣΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΡΑΣ ΒΟΥΛΕΥΤΗΣ Α' ΑΘΗΝΩΝ|url=http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/Vouleftes/Viografika-Stoicheia/?MPId=b57035f7-43e4-48e9-a541-b9d153eb5eab|publisher=Hellenic Parliament|access-date=16 October 2010|language=el}}{{cite news| title=Profile: Alexis Tsipras, leader of Syriza | author=Andy Denwood| work=BBC News| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18059516| date=14 May 2012}} while his mother, Aristi, was born in Eleftheroupoli, a town in Greek Macedonia.{{cite news|url=http://www.kavalanet.gr/enimerosi/news_static/1196294492.php|script-title=el:Αλέξης Τσίπρας: "Καβαλιώτης" και μόλις 33 Μαΐων το φαβορί για την ηγεσία του ΣΥΝ|last=Apostolidis|first=Tasos|date=28 November 2007|work=KavalaNet|publisher=kavalanet.gr|language=el|access-date=22 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824160056/http://www.kavalanet.gr/enimerosi/news_static/1196294492.php|archive-date=24 August 2010|url-status=dead}} His maternal grandparents were from the village of Babaeski, Eastern Thrace, Turkey and moved to Eleftheroupoli as a result of the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/28076217.asp|title=Dünyanın konuştuğu Yunan lider Çipras, Babaeskili çıktı|work=Hürriyet|date=29 January 2015 |access-date=31 January 2015}}

Tsipras joined the Communist Youth of Greece in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, as a student at Ampelokipoi Multi-disciplinary High School, he was politically active in the student uprising and the school occupations{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/profile-of-greek-prime-minister-alexis-tsipras-2015-7|title=How Greece's prime minister rose from high school activist to high politics|website=Business Insider|access-date=17 May 2018}} against the controversial law of Education Minister Vasilis Kontogiannopoulos. He rose to prominence as a representative of the student movement when he was featured as a guest on a television show hosted by journalist Anna Panagiotarea. During the interview, Panagiotarea implied that Tsipras was being disingenuous in defending middle and high school students' right to absenteeism without parental notification in the context of protests. Newspapers and opposition politicians contrasted his early activism for the free state education to his choice to enroll his children in private schools when he became prime-minister.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}[https://www.eleftherostypos.gr/politiki/39399-aphonos-o-tsipras-stin-omilia-mitsotaki-sti-vouli-gia-tin-paideia/ "Άφωνος ο Τσίπρας στην ομιλία Μητσοτάκη στη Βουλή για την Παιδεία" (Speechless Tsipras during Mitsotakis' talk in the Parliament on education), Elefteros Typos, 28/09/16.] In Greek language.

Tsipras studied civil engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, graduating in 2000, before undertaking postgraduate studies in Urban and Regional Planning following an inter-departmental MPhil at the School of Architecture of NTUA. Alongside his postgraduate studies, he began working as a civil engineer in the construction industry. He wrote three studies and projects on the theme of the city of Athens.{{cite web|url=http://www.syn.gr/en/tsipras_alexis.htm |title=Alexis Tsipras |work=Synaspismos |publisher=syn.gr |access-date=22 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612152851/http://www.syn.gr/en/tsipras_alexis.htm |archive-date=12 June 2011 }}{{cite web|script-title=el:Σχόλιο Γραφείου Τύπου του ΣΥΝ για τις προσωπικές επιθέσεις εναντίον του Προέδρου του ΣΥΝ – Επισύναψη επιστολών |url=http://www.syn.gr/gr/keimeno.php?id=12438|publisher=syn.gr|access-date=16 October 2010|language=el|date=21 November 2008}}{{cite web|script-title=el:Αλέξης Τσίπρας |url=http://www.enet.gr/?i=news.el.article&id=89175|publisher=enet.gr|access-date=16 October 2010|language=el|date=9 October 2009}}

As a university student, Tsipras joined the ranks of the renascent left-wing movement, particularly the "Enceladus" ({{langx|el|links=no|Εγκέλαδος}}) group, and as member of it, he was elected to the executive board of the students' union of the Civil Engineering School of NTUA and also served as student representative on the University Senate. From 1995 to 1997 he was an elected member of the Central Council of the National Students Union of Greece (EFEE).

File:Alexis Tsipras.jpg

File:Alexis Tsipras3.jpg giving a speech for The Other Europe (L'Altra Europa) Alliance in 2014]]

After the departure of the Communist Party of Greece from Synaspismos in 1991, Tsipras remained in the coalition. In May 1999 he became the first political secretary of Synaspismos{{'}} youth-wing, the Synaspismos Youth. During this period he was described as a centrist, different from the very clear radical, left-wing profile he would later maintain as leader of Synaspismos. He won many awards during this time. In November 2003, he was succeeded by Tasos Koronakis and moved on to the mother party. He managed quite efficiently to maintain a strong adherence to the policy of the party, effectively out talking both the left and right political wings. As secretary of Synaspismos Youth, he took an active part in the process of creating the Greek Social Forum and attended many of the international protests and marches against neoliberal globalization. In December 2004, at the 4th Congress of Synaspismos, he was elected a member of the party's Central Political Committee and consequently to the Political Secretariat, where he was responsible for educational and youth issues.

Tsipras first entered the limelight of mainstream Greek politics during the 2006 local election when he ran for Mayor of Athens under the "Anoikhti Poli" (Greek: Ανοιχτή Πόλη, "Open City") Syriza ticket that gained 10.51% of the Athenian vote, finishing third overall. Tsipras won a seat on the Municipality of Athens council by virtue of him being first on the Syriza list.{{cite news|url=http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=3561435&maindocimg=3486542&service=102|title=Coalition selects A. Tsipras for Athens mayorship |work=ANA-MPA|access-date=22 May 2009}} He did not run for the Greek Parliament in the 2007 election, choosing to continue the completion his term as a member of the municipal council of Athens.

Tsipras was elected Leader of Synaspismos during its 5th Congress on 10 February 2008, after its previous Leader Alekos Alavanos decided not to stand for election again for personal reasons.{{cite news|url=http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6137211&maindocimg=6135039&service=8|title=Tsipras new SYN leader, new CPC elected|work=ANA-MPA|publisher=ana.gr|access-date=26 April 2009}} Tsipras became leader of Synaspismos at the age of 33, thus becoming the youngest leader of a Greek political party since 1931. In the 2009 election, he was elected to the Hellenic Parliament for Athens A and was subsequently voted unanimously to be the head of the Syriza parliamentary group.{{cite news|url=http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=8021532&maindocimg=8021551&service=143 |script-title=el:Ανανέωση αλλά και ηχηρές απουσίες στη νέα Βουλή |date=9 October 2006 |work=ANA-MPA |language=el |access-date=9 October 2009 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.athina984.gr/node/69377 |title=Alexis Tsipras to head SYRIZA Parliamentary group |date=8 October 2009 |work=Athina 9.84 Municipal Radio |publisher=athina984.gr |access-date=9 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004711/http://www.athina984.gr/node/69377 |archive-date=17 July 2011 }} Tsipras led SYRIZA through the 2012 elections, overseeing a swing of over 22% to the party and becoming the Leader of the Opposition and head of the Shadow Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras.

File:SYN 5th Congress.jpg

On March 2013 Tsipras visited Karamanlis Foundation (Karamanlis was the founder of Nea Dimokratia) {{Cite web |url=https://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/ta-vlemmata-ston-alexi-tsipra/ |title=Ίδρυμα Καραμανλής: Τα βλέμματα στον Αλέξη Τσίπρα |date=6 March 2013}}

In December 2013, Tsipras was the first candidate proposed for the position of president of the Commission of the European Union by the European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL). The vote was an EU member states election to the European Parliament in May 2014.

Tsipras campaigned as the only candidate of the south periphery countries. At the beginning of May 2014, in a speech in Berlin, he clarified many of his positions, in opposition to the allegedly Merkel-dominated neoliberal political course in Europe. Tsipras declared a substantial change for a better future for all Europeans is visible within 10 years. He addressed those who lost out in the fallout of the financial crises from 2008 to 2014, which produced unexpectedly high unemployment rates in most of the EU. The speech was given in English to a German audience and intended to be listened to throughout Europe.{{cite web |url=http://www.alexistsipras.eu/index.php/8-news/163-tsipras-to-speak-at-die-linke-party-congress-in-berlin |title=Tsipras in Berlin for die Linke Party Congress |access-date=17 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517214721/http://www.alexistsipras.eu/index.php/8-news/163-tsipras-to-speak-at-die-linke-party-congress-in-berlin |archive-date=17 May 2014}} Although the GUE/NGL won in Greece, winning six of the 21 Greek seats in the European Parliament, it finished fifth in Europe overall.

{{see also|Tenth austerity package (Greece)|Eleventh austerity package (Greece)|Twelfth austerity package (Greece)|Thirteenth austerity package (Greece)}}

===First term (January–August 2015)===

{{See also|First Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras}}

File:Alexis Tsipras at the National Resistance Memorial, Kaisariani.jpg.]]

Tsipras led Syriza to victory in the general election held on 25 January 2015, falling short of an outright majority in Parliament by just two seats. The following morning, Tsipras reached an agreement with the right-wing populist Independent Greeks party to form a coalition.

On the same day he was sworn in by President Karolos Papoulias as the youngest prime minister in Greek history, using the words "I declare in my name, honour and conscience to uphold the Constitution and its laws."{{cite web|title=Greek Elections: Alexis Tsipras sworn in as the new Greek Prime Minister|work=newsit.gr|url=http://www.newsit.gr/politikh/greek-elections-alexis-tsipras-sworn-in-2601|date=26 January 2015|access-date=10 February 2015}} Tsipras was also the first prime minister to take a civil oath rather than a religious oath of office, marking a rupture with Greek orthodox ceremonial culture.{{cite news|title=A courteous distance|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/01/church-and-state-greece|date=26 January 2015|access-date=10 February 2015}} While reaffirming the good relations between his party and the Church, he generated further religious controversy during a meeting with Archbishop Ieronymos. Tsipras explained that as an atheist who neither married in a religious ceremony nor baptised his children, he would not take a religious oath of office.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

In his first act after being sworn in, Tsipras visited the Resistance Memorial in Kaisariani, laying down red roses to commemorate the 200 members of the Greek Resistance executed by the German Wehrmacht on 1 May 1944.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/26/alexis-tsipras-greece-syriza-kaisariani-nazi-german|title=Alexis Tsipras pays homage to Greek communists at site of Nazi atrocity|author=Helena Smith|work=The Guardian|date=26 January 2015|access-date=14 February 2015}}

During the first meeting of the new cabinet, Tsipras declared the priorities of his government to be the fight against the "humanitarian crisis" in Greece, negotiations with the EU and the International Monetary Fund on restructuring the Greek debt, and the implementation of promises made by SYRIZA such as the abolition of the previous government's privatization policies.{{cite web|title="Ανατροπές παντού -Αλλάζουν όλα σε ΔΕΗ, Παιδεία, Δημόσιο, ιδιωτικοποιήσεις" (Total recall - Everything changes in Public Power Corp., Education, Public Sector and privatizations) |url=http://www.iefimerida.gr/news/188956/anatropes-pantoy-allazoyn-ola-se-dei-paideia-dimosio-idiotikopoiiseis|website=iefimerida.gr|date=28 January 2015|access-date=28 January 2015}}

On 3 February, Tsipras made his first official state visit, meeting with his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi in Rome. They held a joint press conference expressing concerns about austerity measures imposed by the Juncker Commission and stated that economic growth is the only way to exit from the crisis. After the press conference, Renzi presented Tsipras with an Italian tie as a gift. Tsipras, who is notable for never wearing ties, thanked Renzi and said that he would wear the gift in celebration when Greece had successfully renegotiated the austerity measures.{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2015/02/03/news/tsipras_continua_il_tour_anti-austerit_oggi_a_palazzo_chigi_incontra_renzi-106424199/|title=Tsipras, il tour anti-austerità a Roma. Padoan: "Crescita priorità per la Grecia"|date=3 February 2015|work=Repubblica.it}}

File:Tsipras and Junker.jpg, 13 March 2015]]

On 20 February, the Eurogroup came to an agreement with Greece to extend the Greek bailout for four months.{{cite web|title=Eurozone chiefs strike deal to extend Greek bailout for four months |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/20/eurozone-chiefs-meet-for-last-ditch-talks-to-avert-greece-cash-crunch|website=theguardian.com|date=20 February 2015|access-date=20 February 2015}} Tsipras had also announced a trip to Moscow on 8 April, in a bid to secure Russian support.{{cite news|title=Isolated Greece pivots east to Russia, China and Iran. But will it work? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11511653/Isolated-Greece-pivots-east-to-Russia-China-and-Iran.-But-will-it-work.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11511653/Isolated-Greece-pivots-east-to-Russia-China-and-Iran.-But-will-it-work.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=6 April 2015|location=London|first=Mehreen|last=Khan|date=6 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}

On 31 May, Tsipras laid out his complaints and outlined his plan in a recap of events since his election. He concluded that there were at least two competing visions for the integration of Europe, both of which he seemed to reject, and that certain unnamed institutional actors had "an obsession" with their own technocratic programme.[http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2015/05/31/alexis-tsipras-l-europe-est-a-la-croisee-des-chemins_4644263_3234.html lemonde.fr: "Alexis Tsipras : « Non à une zone euro à deux vitesses »"], 31 May 2015

On 22 June, Tsipras presented a new Greek proposal, which included raising the retirement age gradually to 67 and curbing early retirement. It also offered to reform the value-added-tax system to set the main rate at 23 percent.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-greece-idUSKBN0P10JN20150622 "Greece offers new plan to avert default, creditors see some hope"], Reuters, 22 June 2015 On 29 June Greek banks stayed shut and Tsipras said they would remain so to impose capital control. Trading in Greek stocks and bonds halted as well.{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/06/28/news/economy/greece-banks-ecb/|title=Greece shuts banks in bid to prevent collapse|author=Mark Thompson|date=28 June 2015|work=CNNMoney}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33305019|title=Greek debt crisis: Banks to stay shut, capital controls imposed|work=BBC News}}

{{Main|2015 Greek bailout referendum}}

On 27 June 2015, Tsipras announced a referendum to decide whether or not Greece should accept the bailout conditions proposed jointly by the Juncker Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank.

Tsipras recommended a "No" vote. On 3 July, during an address to at least 250,000 people gathered in the capital's Syntagma Square in front of parliament, he rejected some leaders' warnings that a "No" result in Sunday's plebiscite could see Greece forced to leave the eurozone. He declared "On Sunday, we are not simply deciding to remain in Europe—we are deciding to live with dignity in Europe".{{cite web |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/greece-pm-urges-no-vote-live-dignity-europe-182709597.html|title=Greece PM urges 'No' vote to 'live with dignity in Europe'|date=3 July 2015|publisher=Yahoo News UK}} The result of the referendum was 61.3% voting "No."[http://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/e/public/index.html Δημοψήφισμα Ιούλιος 2015], Ministry of the Interior and Administrative Reconstruction. (accessed 5 July 2015)

After several days of negotiation, on 13 July 2015, Tsipras came to an agreement with lenders.{{cite web|title=Αναλυτικά τι προβλέπει η συμφωνία της Συνόδου Κορυφής|url=http://www.naftemporiki.gr/finance/story/977809/analutika-ti-problepei-i-sumfonia-tis-sunodou-korufis|website=news247.gr|date=13 July 2015|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114004724/http://www.naftemporiki.gr/finance/story/977809/analutika-ti-problepei-i-sumfonia-tis-sunodou-korufis|url-status=dead}} Greece was to get a loan of 82 to 86 billion euros, which would be handed to Greece gradually from 2015 until June 2018. In return, Greece would have to increase the VAT, reform the pension system, assure the independence of ELSTAT, automatically cut public spending to get primary surpluses, reform justice so decisions can be made faster, follow the reforms proposed by OECD, revoke the laws passed by Tsipras except for the one concerning the "humanitarian crisis", recapitalize the banks, privatize 50 billion of state assets, and decrease the cost of the public sector. In return, Greece would be given the Juncker package, 35 billion euros, which is meant to help the Greek economy grow.{{cite web|title=A new start for jobs and growth in Greece: Commission mobilises more than €35 billion from the EU budget |url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5373_en.htm|website=europa.eu|access-date=15 July 2015}} The Syriza-led government of Greece accepted a bailout package that contains larger pension cuts and tax increases than the one rejected by Greek voters in the referendum.[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/12/thisisacoup_n_7781736.html German-Led Eurozone Launching Coup Against Greek Government]. The Huffington Post. 12 July 2015.

On 14 August, the Greek parliament backed the country's new bailout deal, although more than 40 MPs from Syriza voted against the deal and Tsipras had to rely on the support of the pro-EU opposition: New Democracy, To Potami and PASOK. Tsipras told MPs they were facing a choice between "staying alive or suicide". He also said: "I have my conscience clear that it is the best we could achieve under the current balance of power in Europe, under conditions of economic and financial asphyxiation imposed upon us."{{cite news|title=Greek MPs back €85bn bailout after marathon talks |work=BBC News|date=14 August 2015|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33925781|access-date=14 August 2015}}

On 20 August 2015, Tsipras resigned from position of the Prime Minister of Greece due to the rebellion of MPs from his own party Syriza and called for a snap election.{{cite news|title=Greece crisis: PM Alexis Tsipras quits and calls early polls |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34007859|work=BBC News|date=20 August 2015|access-date=20 August 2015}} He made the announcement in a televised state address. After opposition parties failed to form a government, Vassiliki Thanou-Christophilou was appointed as an interim prime minister until elections could be held.

Despite a low turnout of only 57% versus 64% in previous elections, at the 20 September election, Tsipras received a solid vote of confidence, with Syriza achieving 35.50% of the vote,{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/sep/20/greek-general-election-results-alexis-tsipras-syriza-meimarakis-new-democracy-live | title=Guardian | date=20 September 2015 | access-date=10 November 2015| last1=Wearden | first1=Graeme }} enough to form a coalition with ANEL.{{cite news|author= |title=Voter Turnout in Greek Elections Drops to New Historic Low|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/09/21/voter-turnout-in-greek-elections-drops-to-new-historic-low-infographic/|newspaper=Greek Reporter|date=21 September 2015|access-date=21 September 2015}} Among others, Tsipras appointed in his new government Dimitris Kammenos, a politician from ANEL, as deputy minister for infrastructure, transport and networks, causing reactions because of Kammenos' anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic comments on Twitter, such as accusations of 9/11 being a 'Jewish' plot.{{cite web|title=Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras just appointed a minister with a horrendous record of anti-Semitic comments |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/greek-prime-minister-alexis-tsipras-just-made-a-man-with-a-horrendous-record-of-comments-about-jews-2015-9|website=businessinsider.com|access-date=23 September 2015}} The outcry against him eventually forced Kammenos to resign, being a minister for less than 12 hours.{{cite web|title= "Dimitris Kammenos resigns" Παραιτήθηκε ο Δημήτρης Καμμένος |url=http://www.iefimerida.gr/news/227597/paraitithike-o-dimitris-kammenos|website=iefimerida.gr|date=23 September 2015|access-date=23 September 2015}}

{{See also|Second Cabinet of Alexis Tsipras}}

In October 2015, Tsipras sacked Greece's top tax collection official, Katerina Savvaidou, because she had allegedly granted an extension to television stations to pay a 20% tax on advertising.{{cite news|title=Greece's top tax collector sacked by Tsipras |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/61b20754-78d1-11e5-a95a-27d368e1ddf7.html#axzz3qp3ENjTg|website=Financial Times|date=22 October 2015|access-date=22 October 2015}} The government's fiscal measures prompted some backlash, with farmers threatening to bring their tractors into Athens and pharmacists going on strike.{{cite web|title=Tsipras' biggest stress tests yet to come |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/hugo-dixon/2015/11/02/tsipras-biggest-stress-tests-yet-to-come/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108010907/http://blogs.reuters.com/hugo-dixon/2015/11/02/tsipras-biggest-stress-tests-yet-to-come/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2015|website=Reuters|access-date= 2 November 2015}} In November 2015, Tsipras received an angry reception at a refugee camp in Lesbos by around a hundred protesters, wearing life jackets and brandishing placards calling on the European Union to stop deaths by allowing asylum seekers safe and legal passage to Europe.{{cite web|title=Alexis Tsipras receives angry reception at Lesbos refugee camp |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/alex-tsipras-receives-angry-reception-at-lesbos-refugee-camp-a6722361.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106035842/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/alex-tsipras-receives-angry-reception-at-lesbos-refugee-camp-a6722361.html |archive-date=2015-11-06 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|website=The Independent|date=7 November 2015|access-date= 7 November 2015}}

File:With Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.jpg, 15 May 2017]]

In November 2015, Tsipras became the first Greek prime minister to visit Turkey's Aegean province of İzmir since the days of the Occupation of Smyrna, meeting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu; they agreed to cooperate on the refugee crisis and to establish technical cooperation between Greek and Turkish coast guards.{{cite web|title= "Tsipras: We must cooperate with Turkey on the refugee crisis" Αλ. Τσίπρας: Πρέπει να αντιμετωπίσουμε από κοινού με την Τουρκία το προσφυγικό|url=http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/1032289/ntaboutoglou-theloume-statheri-geitniasi-kai-filia-me-tin-ellada|website=www.naftemporiki.gr|date=18 November 2015|access-date=18 November 2015}}

In December 2015, he introduced the Cohabitation agreement for the same sex-couples.The bill was approved by the Greek Parliament on 23 December 2015.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} in May 2018, a law allows adoption for same-sex couples.{{Cite web|url=http://www.liberation.fr/planete/2018/05/11/grece-une-loi-ouvre-la-porte-a-l-adoption-pour-les-couples-homosexuels_1649457|title = Grèce : Une loi ouvre la porte à l'adoption pour les couples homosexuels}}

On 19 March 2016, Tsipras spoke at a conference of the "Alliance Against Austerity for Democracy in Europe" held in Athens. In his speech, he expressed concern over the possibility of Donald Trump becoming US President. He said as follows: "Tell me who of you would believe a few months ago that in the US today, the front-runner on behalf of the Republicans for the nomination of the candidate President would be Mr. Trump? And of course, what this nomination marks, the ideas it represents, the appeal it reaches, and the threat to become even President – I hope we will not face this evil." [https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/tsipras-i-hope-we-wont-face-the-donald-trump-experience/ Tsipras: 'I hope we won't face the Donald Trump experience']

In May 2016, new austerity measures proposed by Tsipras passed Parliament. The legislation increased taxes to middle- and high-level income earners; make across-the-board budget cuts amounting to about 3% of Greece's GDP; removed value-added-tax discounts; cut pensions; and increase deregulation. Tsipras called for calm on the streets and defended the austerity package, saying it fell in line with the agreement reached with the EU the previous year.{{cite web|title= Tsipras defies protesters, austerity measures pass |url=http://thebricspost.com/tsipras-defies-protesters-austerity-measures-pass/#.V0JbJSFa50x|website=thebricspost|access-date=9 May 2016}} Further austerity legislation included a provision for "contingency" measures, including wage and pension cuts, that would take effect automatically if budget targets were derailed next year. Taxes on cigarettes, coffee and craft beer were also raised, while an unpopular property tax was restructured to increase revenues from larger buildings. A new privatisation agency was set up which would have a 99-year remit to develop and sell state-owned property. Tsipras defended his adoption of new fiscal measures, telling Parliament: "Spring may be almost over but we are looking forward to an economic spring and a return to growth this year."{{cite news|title= Athens agrees fiscal measures in exchange for debt relief talks |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/78343842-2058-11e6-9d4d-c11776a5124d.html|website=Financial Times|date=22 May 2016|access-date=22 May 2016|last1=Hope|first1=Kerin}} In December 2016, a social reform aimed at the poorest pensioners caused the suspension of Greek debt relief measures by the European Union.{{Cite web|url=http://bfmbusiness.bfmtv.com/monde/l-europe-punit-la-grece-apres-l-annonce-de-mesures-sociales-1070695.html|title=L'Europe punit la Grèce après l'annonce de mesures sociales}}

The economic policy of his government, often described as aligned with the directives of the European Commission, earned him strong opposition from the left. Some Syriza MPs split from the party and formed the Popular Unity. On the other hand, those close to the government believe that it had to face "the obstruction of state institutions and the oligarchy" and that "a left-wing government cannot succeed alone, especially if its country is small and on the verge of bankruptcy". For their part, senior European officials acknowledge that "this government will, more than any other, be scrutinized when it regains its autonomy."{{Cite web|url=http://www.regards.fr/web/article/grece-le-bilan-discute-du-gouvernement-tsipras|title = Grèce : Le bilan discuté du gouvernement Tsipras}}

File:President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at their joint press conference in the Rose Garden at the White House, Tuesday, October 17, 2017, in Washington, D.C.jpg

In a July 2017, Tsipras opined that the Greek economy was "on the up" and that "the worst is clearly behind us." He also expressed confidence that Greece would no longer have to rely on bailouts and international oversight in 2018. According to media reports from mid-July, Greece was considering rejoining the bond market for the first time since 2014 to borrow from the capital market.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/18/greece-could-return-to-the-bond-markets-as-early-as-next-week.html|title=Greece could return to the bond markets as early as next week|last=Amaro|first=Silvia|website=CNBC|date=18 July 2017|access-date=24 July 2017}} It was speculated that the government could issue a five-year bond at a time when yields on Greek bonds were their lowest since the country left the market in 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://euobserver.com/economic/138587|title=Greece looking at bond market return|access-date=24 July 2017}} The announcement came a few days after the IMF "in principle" approved Greece for a conditional loan of up to $1.8 billion. The IMF made the payment of the loans contingent on Greece's debt sustainability, demanding that euro-zone countries provide debt relief to the country.

In October 2017 Prime Minister Tsipras met with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., where Trump told Tsipras that he supported a "responsible debt relief" plan for Greece as they recovered from the economic crisis in the country.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/25b108d6-b3bc-11e7-aa26-bb002965bce8|title=Trump welcomes Greece's Tsipras to White House|date=18 October 2017|work=Financial Times|access-date=18 October 2017|issn=0261-3077}} Trump added that his administration had informed Congress of a potential sale to upgrade the F-16 aircraft in Greece's air force, a deal that could be worth $2.4 billion.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-18/us-president-meets-greek-prime-minister/9060666|title=US President meets Greek Prime Minister|date=18 October 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=18 October 2017}}

Greece officially concluded its three-year European Stability Mechanism (ESM) financial assistance programme on 20 August 2018, following the disbursement of €61.9 billion by the ESM over three years to support the country's macroeconomic adjustment and bank recapitalization. ESM Members agreed on the financial assistance package in August 2015. "The conclusion of the ESM programme marks a very important moment and historic for all of us. We had eight very difficult years, often painful years, but now Greece can finally turn a page in a crisis that has lasted too long," according to EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici.{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/aeb930e0-a475-11e8-926a-7342fe5e173f|title=Eurozone hails Greece's exit from bailout as end of crisis|date=20 August 2018|work=Financial Times |last1=Brunsden|first1=Jim|last2=Khan|first2=Mehreen}} A day after Moscovici's statement, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said during a state address from the island of Ithaca: "A new day is dawning in our country, today is the beginning of a new era". Tsipras furthermore asserted that the country had regained its sovereignty to determine its own future, reaching a destination that would allow the Greeks "to make our place as it deserves to be."{{cite news |url=http://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/index.php/topics/politics-polity/6805-alexis-tsipras-state-address-from-ithaca-today-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-era-2|title=Alexis Tsipras' state address from Ithaca: "Today is the beginning of a new era"|date=21 August 2018 }}

File:Tsipras Erdogan press conference in Greece, December 7 2017.jpg on 7 December 2017]]

In January 2019, Greece Defence Minister Panos Kammenos and his Independent Greeks party quit Greece's ruling coalition over a deal struck on the Macedonia naming dispute, potentially leaving the governing coalition without a workable majority in parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/greek-government-splits-macedonia-change-190113183705772.html|title=Greek government splits over Macedonia name change}} Despite this, some days later, Tsipras managed to win a confidence vote and gain again the support of the absolute majority of the Greek parliament (151 votes) for his government (this time backed by one political party, i.e. SYRIZA). The confidence vote was followed by the successful ratification of the Greek parliament with 153 votes of the Prespa Agreement, an agreement which resolved a long-standing dispute and named Greece's northern neighbour as North Macedonia.

Along with the austerity measures, Alexis Tsipras had promised a "parallel programm" with social reforms in order to achieve a balance between the agreement with Europe and the fight against poverty and neo-liberalism. Some of the main reforms were an increase in the minimum wage, introduction of a minimum income scheme, and increase of the budget for healthcare and education etc.

Syriza suffered a harsh defeat in the European election on 26 May 2019, losing to the opposition party New Democracy. Following the defeat, snap elections were called.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/27/greece-headed-to-snap-elections-after-syriza-defeat-in-eu-vote|title=Greece headed to snap elections after Syriza defeat in EU vote|website=www.euronews.com|date=27 May 2019|access-date=8 July 2019}}

File:Reuven Rivlin state visit to Greece, January 2018 (7298).jpg, 29 January 2018]]

Syriza was defeated in the 2019 legislative election, scoring 31.53% of votes and securing 86 seats in the Hellenic Parliament. The party once again suffered defeat in the 2023 elections, both in May and June, in which their share of the vote collapsed drastically, ending up losing over one-third of the seats they had won four years prior. Tsipras conceded defeat and resigned four days after June elections, on 29 June.{{Cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/07/08/greek-conservative-mitsotakis-sworn-in-as-prime-minister/|title=Greek conservative Mitsotakis sworn in as prime minister|author=|date=8 July 2019|website=Cyprus Mail|access-date=8 July 2019}}

His first non-official biography has been written by Fabien Perrier{{Cite web|url=https://www.bourin-editeur.fr/fr/books/alexis-tsipras|title = Alexis Tsipras | Éditions les Pérégrines}} and by Topos in Greece.{{Cite web|url=https://www.documentonews.gr/article/alexhs-tsipras-kai-oi-metamorfwseis-ths-politikhs-to-biblio-toy-fampian-perie|title = "Αλέξης Τσίπρας και οι μεταμορφώσεις της πολιτικής" - Το βιβλίο του Φαμπιάν Περιέ|date = 11 December 2019}}

{{Main|Macedonian naming dispute}}

During the last years in Opposition and also in his inauguration speech, the new prime minister Zoran Zaev vowed his determination to resolve the decades-old dispute with Greece.{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-municipal-elections-zaev-albania/28795298.html|title=Macedonia's Ruling SDSM Claims Victory In Municipal Elections After Early Results|access-date=24 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-macedonia-greece-name/macedonias-pm-hopes-for-quick-solution-to-name-dispute-with-greece-idUSKBN1DD2D2|title=Macedonia's PM hopes for quick solution to name dispute with Greece|access-date=24 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/macedonia-naming-dispute-balkan-nation-set-to-resolve-25-year-old-row-with-greece-for-seats-in-nato-eu-3902647.html|title=Macedonia naming dispute: Balkan nation set to resolve 25-year-old row with Greece for seats in NATO, EU|access-date=24 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/13/macedonias-nato-hopes-rise-as-deal-with-greece-looks-feasible|title=Macedonia and Greece appear close to settling 27-year dispute over name|access-date=24 January 2018}} Efforts between the governments of the two countries for resolving the name dispute intensified, and on 17 January 2018, UN-sponsored negotiations had resumed, with the Greek and Macedonian ambassadors Adamantios Vassilakis and Vasko Naumovski meeting with the UN Envoy at Washington,{{cite news|url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/224977/article/ekathimerini/news/nimetz-term-macedonia-to-be-included-in-name-proposal|title=Nimetz: Term 'Macedonia' to be included in name proposal|publisher=Kathimerini|access-date=24 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/un-presents-new-proposals-on-greece-macedonia-name-dispute/2018/01/17/cfb905f6-fbbd-11e7-9b5d-bbf0da31214d_story.html|title=UN presents new proposals on Greece-Macedonia name dispute|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=24 January 2018}} who suggested five names in his proposal, all containing the name "Macedonia" transliterated from Cyrillic.

After the Zaev-Tsipras meeting in Davos, Zaev announced that streets and locations such as the Alexander the Great airport in Skopje which were named by the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE after ancient Macedonian heroes and figures such as Alexander the Great, could be renamed as a sign of goodwill towards Greece. Specifically, Zaev declared that the Alexander the Great Highway, the E-75 motorway that connects Skopje to Greece, could be renamed to "Friendship Highway". In exchange, the Greek PM announced that Greece could consent to Macedonia's bid to the Adriatic-Ionian Cooperation Agreement and the Greek Parliament could ratify the second phase of the European Union Association Agreement with Macedonia as part of the accession of North Macedonia to the European Union which was blocked in 2009 by Greece owing to the name dispute.{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/macedonia-greece-name-dispute-tsipras-zaev/28994566.html|title=Macedonia Extends Olive Branch To Greece In Name Dispute|access-date=24 January 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.balkaneu.com/public-awareness-campaign-the-next-step-following-the-positive-tsipras-zaev-meeting-in-davos/|title=Public awareness campaign the next step, following the positive Tsipras - Zaev meeting in Davos|publisher=BalkanEU|access-date=24 January 2018}}

In late February 2018, the government and institutions of the Republic of Macedonia announced the halt of the Skopje 2014 program, which aimed to make Macedonia's capital have a "more classical appeal" and begun removing its controversial monuments and statues.

In Spring 2018, extensive negotiations in a bid to resolve the naming dispute were held in rounds, with frequent meetings of the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Macedonia achieving tangible progress on the naming dispute.{{cite news|url=http://english.republika.mk/new-dimitrov-kotzias-meeting-in-thessaloniki-this-week/|title=New Dimitrov - Kotzias meeting in Thessaloniki this week|publisher=Republika.mk|access-date=20 May 2018|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613181118/http://english.republika.mk/new-dimitrov-kotzias-meeting-in-thessaloniki-this-week/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.amna.gr/en/article/247279/Kotzias-and-Dimitrov-report-progress-after-name-talks--say-process-is-continuing|title=Kotzias and Dimitrov report progress after name talks, say process is continuing|publisher=ANMA|access-date=20 May 2018}}

File:Потпишување на договорот за македонско-грчкиот спор (17.06.2018, Преспа) (42853677381).jpg]]

On 12 June 2018, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras announced that an agreement had been reached with his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev on the dispute, "which covers all the preconditions set by the Greek side".{{cite web |title='We have a deal,' Greek PM says over FYROM name row {{!}} Kathimerini |url=http://www.ekathimerini.com/229552/article/ekathimerini/news/we-have-a-deal-greek-pm-says-over-fyrom-name-row |website=ekathimerini.com |publisher=Η Καθημερινή |access-date=12 June 2018 |language=en |date=12 June 2018}} The proposal would result in the (former) Republic of Macedonia being renamed the Republic of North Macedonia ({{Langx|mk|Република Северна Македонија|translit=Republika Severna Makedonija}}; {{langx|el|Δημοκρατία της Βόρειας Μακεδονίας}}http://s.kathimerini.gr/resources/article-files/symfwnia--2.pdf, p. 3.), with the new name being used for all purposes.{{cite web |title=Greece ends 27-year Macedonia name row |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44401643 |website=BBC News |access-date=12 June 2018 |date=12 June 2018}} Zaev announced that the deal includes recognition of Macedonian in the United Nations and that the citizens of the country will be called, as before, Macedonians. However, there is an explicit clarification that the citizens of the country are not related to any Hellenic civilization previously inhabiting the region.{{cite web |title=Republic of North Macedonia with Macedonian language and identity, says Greek media |url=http://meta.mk/en/republic-of-north-macedonia-with-macedonian-language-and-identity-says-greek-media/ |website=Meta.mk|publisher=Meta |access-date=12 June 2018 |date=12 June 2018}}7.1. The Parties acknowledge that their respective understanding of the terms "Macedonia" and "Macedonian" refers to a different historical context and cultural heritage. 7.2. When reference is made to the First Party (NM), these terms denote not only the area and people of the northern region of the First Party, but also their attributes, as well as the Hellenic civilization, history, culture, and heritage of that region from antiquity to present day.

On 5 July, the Prespa agreement was ratified again by the parliament of Macedonia with 69 MPs voting in favor of it.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-macedonia/macedonias-parliament-endorses-name-deal-with-greece-for-second-time-idUSKBN1JV1MP|title=Macedonia's parliament endorses name deal with Greece for second time|publisher=Reuters|date=5 July 2018|access-date=6 July 2018}} On 11 July, NATO invited Macedonia to start accession talks in a bid to become the EuroAtlantic alliance's 30th member.{{cite news|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/nato-invites-macedonia-to-join-the-western-alliance-07-11-2018|title=NATO Invites Macedonia to Join the Western Alliance|publisher=Balkan Insight|date=11 July 2018|access-date=13 July 2018}} On 30 July, the parliament of Macedonia approved plans to hold a non-binding referendum on changing the country's name that took place on 30 September.{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/macedonia-to-hold-name-change-referendum-on-september-30|title= Macedonia to hold name-change referendum on 30 September|publisher=SBS News|date=30 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2018}} The decisive vote to amend the constitution and change the name of the country passed on 11 January 2019 in favor of the amendment.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-macedonia-name-parliament-idUSKCN1P5238 |title=Macedonia parliament agrees to change country's name |last=Casule |first=Kole |date=11 January 2019 |website=Reuters |access-date=17 August 2019}} The amendment entered into force following the ratification of the Prespa agreement and the Protocol of Accession of North Macedonia to NATO by the Greek Parliament.

Tsipras is not married. His registered partnerCostey, Laure, "Betty, la femme derrière Alexis Tsipras", Gala, 23 July 2015. is Peristera "Betty" Baziana, an electrical and computer engineer. They met in 1987, at the age of 13, at Ampelokipoi Branch High School. Both eventually became members of the Communist Youth of Greece. They live together in Athens with their two sons.{{cite web|script-title=el:Έγινε πατέρας ο Αλέξης Τσίπρας |url=http://www.cosmo.gr/News/Hellas/273766.html |publisher=cosmo.gr |access-date=16 October 2010 |language=el |date=17 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520014956/http://www.cosmo.gr/News/Hellas/273766.html |archive-date=20 May 2010 }} Their younger son's middle name is Ernesto, a tribute to the Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara.{{cite news|title=Alexis Tsipras: the Syriza leader about to take charge in Greece| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/25/alexis-tsipras-profile-greece-syriza-leader|work=The Guardian|date=26 January 2015}} Tsipras has claimed to be a football fan and a supporter of Panathinaikos. Tsipras is an atheist.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Helena |title=Pope Francis the 'pontiff of the poor', says Greece's Alexis Tsipras|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/18/pope-francis-alexis-tsipras-vatican|work=The Guardian|date=18 September 2014|quote=Alexis Tsipras – a radical leftist and self-described atheist}}{{cite news |title=Greece's far left: The company he keeps|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21621878-syrizas-leader-could-win-next-election-company-he-keeps |date=4 October 2014|newspaper=The Economist|quote=Mr Tsipras, an atheist}} His cousin, Giorgos Tsipras, is also a Syriza MP.{{cite news|title=Στο Μαξίμου μετακόμισε ο εξάδελφος του πρωθυπουργού, Γιώργος Τσίπρας| url=https://www.iefimerida.gr/news/379308/sto-maximoy-metakomise-o-exadelfos-toy-prothypoyrgoy-giorgos-tsipras-pdf|work=iefimerida|date=28 November 2017}}

• Politics of Greece
• List of international prime ministerial trips made by Alexis Tsipras

{{Reflist}}

• [https://intsipras.gr Alexis Tsipras Institute]
• [http://www.syn.gr/gr/tmima.php?gl=el&page=53 Curriculum Vitae] on Synaspismos website
• [https://vouliwatch.gr/mp/tsipras-alexios MP profile on Vouliwatch.gr]
• {{Hellenic Parliament|b57035f7-43e4-48e9-a541-b9d153eb5eab|cv}}
• [https://anoihtipoli.gr Anoihti Poli]

{{Wikiquote}}

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