Tsipras warns of return to ‘dark days’ of austerity

Greece’s prime minister says the results of recent European elections, in which his party suffered a heavy defeat that forced him to call early elections, have led some in Brussels and Greece to attempt to undermine his government’s introduction of new benefits and consumer tax cuts.

Alexis Tsipras also warned voters that, depending on how they cast their ballots in the elections, scheduled for July 7, the country could “return to the dark days” of its bailout austerity years.

Tsipras’ comments Thursday came a day after the European Commission expressed concern at the new measures’ impact on the country’s budget targets. Greece, which emerged from three international bailouts last year, has promised bailout creditors high budget surpluses so it can continue servicing its debts.

[AP]