Alexis Tsipras
A Message For You
I was watching now
How many hidden valuables I had to save
How many water nests to maintain within the flames.
Manolis Anagnostakis’ verses from the poem “And Much Light Was Needed” [The Continuation, 1953-1954], encapsulate the meaning behind the creation of this Institute.
A “water nest” in our arid times.
A “nest” of ideas, thought, dialogue, but also of initiative, policy and action on the critical issues of national and international concern: Peace, Justice, Sustainable Growth, Equality amongst people and peoples.
In a world fragmented by war, conflict and global antagonisms, the widening gap between the majority and elites, the systematic destruction of the environment and, most recently, the resurgence of the far-Right, our Institute aims to deliver its own message: We must not and cannot remain passive. We must give space to thought, to reflection, to debate…
Space to dialogue
that challenges failed dominant narratives and stereotypes, opening up the way for policy innovation
that studies contemporary reality with the aim of putting forth a realistic path for progressive change
Planning, deciding, cultivating, claiming, developing, protecting, building, embracing, uniting. These words of action express our will and goal: re-shaping the future. Participating pro-actively – in ways that we choose and using our own means – in pursuing a great vision together with many others in Greece, Europe and the world. A vision based on an alternative concept and model for growth, which must be sustainable, must be just and must contribute positively to citizens’ lives.
A moral approach to the social and economic problems of our time. To confronting social inequalities, supporting peace and challenging the failed dominant policies that threaten life on our planet.
The only way to pursue this vision is to energize a broader dialogue, fostering and hosting a diversity of proposals and positions. Because we aspire to express on the level of ideals, ideas and initiatives, the logic of optimism that is so necessary in the times we live. The “optimism of the will” tied firmly with the “pessimism of the intellect”.
Alexis Tsipras
The path
Alexis Tsipras was born 4 days after the fall of the dictatorship in Greece, on July 28, 1974. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens with postgraduate studies in Urban and Spatial Planning.
At the age of 41, in January 2015, he became the youngest and, also, the first left-wing Prime Minister in the history of modern Greece.
From his youth he became active in public affairs, leading the large student mobilizations in 1990 against the conservative changes planned by the right-wing government of that period. Later, as a student, he participated actively in the movements against neoliberal globalization.
In 2006, at the age of 32, he ran for Mayor of Athens supported by the left-wing party, SYRIZA, which then held just over 3%, but managed to make his presence felt gaining 11.5% of the vote.
In 2008 he was elected President of SYRIZA and became the youngest party leader in the country’s history.
Four years later, in June 2012, he led his party to 27% of the vote and became leader of the Main opposition.
In the European elections of 2014 SYRIZA came first, while at the same time he was head of the campaign of the European Left and candidate (spitzenkandidat) for the Presidency of the European Commission.
From December 2012 to December 2015 he wasVice-President of the Party of the European Left.
In the elections of January the 25th 2015 SYRIZA won the elections receiving 36% of the vote and on January the 26th 2015 he was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic.
He retook office on September the 21st after securing a second consecutive election victory with 35% of the vote.
From the elections of July the 7th 2019 to June the 29th 2023, he served as Leader of the Main Opposition.
Since September 2023 he is a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and in March 2024 he was elected President of the Commission for the Western Balkans of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
In 2024, he founded the “Alexis Tsipras Institute for Peace, Justice, Sustainable Development”.
His partner is Betty Baziana, with whom he has two sons, Phoebus and Orpheus.
Click on the timeline of Alexis Tsipras’ life and see his interventions, videos, interviews and articles in a constantly updated archive.
The Early Years, Secretary of the SYNASPISMOS Youth win, Candidate - Mayor of Athens
1990-2007President of SYNASPISMOS
2008-2012Leader of the Main Opposition Party – President of SY.RIZ.A.
2012-2014Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
2015-2019Leader of the Main Opposition Party – President of SY.RIZ.A.-Progressive Alliance
2019-2023Sign in to receive our Newsletter
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