The announcement

Alexis Tsipras, the former prime minister who heads ΕΛ.Α.Σ., will visit Thessaly on 19 and 20 October, with a stop in Volos. He announced the trip in a social media post on 18 October, replying to a young person from Volos who asked when he would come to the city after his visit to Crete. The planned schedule is one trip to a different region each week until the Christmas holidays, and Thessaly is the next stop after Crete. Tsipras says he intends to tour all of Greece and asks for patience until the two visits take place.

“Intention is to tour all of Greece. A little patience, we will talk in person.”

What the Thessaly visit will cover

Tsipras describes Thessaly as ravaged by storm Daniel and accuses the government of indifference and mockery toward the region. The programme includes conversations with people working in agriculture and other production, along with on-site inspections of destroyed crops and of projects he says have been stalled by repeated extensions and delays. He also wants to discuss concrete solutions and development plans for the Thessaly plain. He says the Crete visit showed the value of direct contact with ordinary people, and he repeats his call to act 'from society, with society, for society'.

Cost of living and energy proposals

In an article carried by magnesianews.gr and larissanet.gr, Tsipras calls high prices an 'invisible memorandum' and accuses the government of avoiding confrontation with large economic interests. His fuel proposals include cutting VAT on fuel to 13%, halving the special consumption tax, a one-off tax on windfall profits and a cap on refinery margins. He sets targets of 1.40 euros per litre for heating oil and 1.80 euros for diesel. For food and basic goods he proposes a 6% VAT rate combined with a mandatory digital price observatory covering every stage of the supply chain. On electricity he targets a 30% cut in the weighted average cost through long-term contracts with domestic producers, tied to restoring the strategic public role of the Public Power Corporation (ΔΕΗ).

Prevention and the rural economy

Tsipras argues that recovery after Daniel needs long-term national planning, with priority given to preventing new disasters. He proposes a protected prevention budget, a national water management plan and flood-control works. He also proposes moving the Ministry of Rural Development to Larissa, strengthening farm production and decentralising public services, alongside a National Convergence Fund. He accuses the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis of having almost denied young people the right to hope and dream.

Young people and the protests in France

Tsipras says young people are pushing back against injustice and extreme inequality, and he points to demonstrations in France. He writes that the message is coming strongly from France and not only from there. He links the anger to rising prices, the housing crisis and what he calls the absolute dominance of market logic. He presents the choice as one between continuing current policy and a government and social change, and he expresses confidence that the next government will be progressive.

“Young people are coming forward and stirring society up against reactionary neoliberal policies.”

He closes his post by stating that the only battle lost is the one never fought.