PM Tsipras on ERT: New Democracy will bring a 'tsunami of deregulations'

"The tables are turning" in favor of his party, said Prime Minister and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras on Friday, interviewed on national broadcaster ERT1 ahead of Sunday's elections and despite heavy losses in the recent European elections.

Aired shortly before the party's main campaign rally at Syntagma Square, Tsipras criticized New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis for avoiding all public confrontation regarding policies and frameworks.

The Syriza leader said that up to now the main opposition "was saying that tax relief will bring growth, whereas now it says a 4 pct growth will have to precede tax relief," and added that what Mistotakis considers as growth, he considers to be a "tsunami of deregulations."

ND's plan to channel supplementary insurance through the private sector will lead to a "social insurance black hole," which in turn will see pensions cut even more, said Tsipras, a plan also favored by the International Monetary Fund but averted by Syriza.

He also noted that the main opposition can only make room for tax reductions if it cuts down on welfare costs and public spending.

Tsipras urged Greek youth to reverse the odds on Sunday, and vote "for 'its life and its future," as it did in 2015, when it sent a similar message of "'national dignity."