Popular Unity would take Greece out of euro if needed, says Lafazanis
The abolition of Greece’s bailout program and austerity measures tops the political agenda of Panayiotis Lafazanis, head of newly established Popular Unity, a party formed on August 21 by 25 deputies who left ruling SYRIZA.
In an interview with CNBC, Lafazanis, the former Minister of Energy, noted that restoring salaries and pensions to pre-2010 levels and the nationalization of banks were priorities for the new party.
“The principles of the Popular Unity party include the end of national subordination and the need to follow a new independent, sovereign and progressive course,” he told CNBC, noting that the breakaway party supported a decentralized economy managed by trade unions and workers’ councils, among others.
In the interview, Lafazanis directed his criticism at Alexis Tsipras, accusing the prime minister of giving up the fundamental election pledges of SYRIZA. “He [Tsipras] accepted a loan agreement that calls for destructive policies – including wage and pension cuts – which may give the final blow to the Greek economy,” Lafazanis said.
According to the radical leftist politician, Greece could opt for an orderly Grexit from the eurozone.
“If it is necessary in order to implement our program, we will not hesitate to leave the eurozone and re-establish a national currency,” Lafazanis said.
