Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will formally unveil his new political party on May 26 at 8:00 p.m. in Thiseio Square in central Athens, while using a public appearance focused on younger generations to sharpen the political message behind his comeback.
Speaking at an event organized by Unmute Now in cooperation with the Alexis Tsipras Institute, Tsipras called on young people to participate in the new political initiative, saying the goal was “to set sail for new horizons.”
The appearance marked the clearest indication yet that Tsipras intends to position his political return around issues increasingly dominating younger voters’ concerns in Greece: inequality, housing costs, precarious work and political exclusion.
“The 12 richest people in the world possess as much wealth as 4 billion people- nearly half the global population,” Tsipras said, arguing that growing inequality has become one of the defining crises facing younger generations globally.
Focus on Working Students and Housing
A significant part of Tsipras’ remarks centered on the pressures facing students who work while attending university- an issue that has become increasingly common in Greece amid rising living costs and stagnant wages.
“Most people in your generation work while studying,” Tsipras said, criticizing what he described as the state’s failure to adapt universities to the realities facing working students.
He specifically targeted the government’s legislation on so-called “eternal students,” arguing that instead of creating flexibility for students balancing work and studies, authorities had effectively chosen to punish them.
Housing also featured prominently in his remarks, reflecting mounting public concern over soaring rental prices in Athens and other Greek cities. Greece has experienced one of Europe’s sharpest increases in housing costs in recent years, driven by inflation, limited housing supply and tourism-related pressures on the rental market.
Tsipras additionally criticized Greece’s reliance on nationwide university entrance exams, arguing that the education system has remained structurally unchanged for decades.
Voting Rights Proposal
In one of the more politically notable interventions of the evening, Tsipras proposed that young people organize around the issue of voting access for seasonal workers and students.
He argued that election dates are frequently scheduled during periods when thousands of young Greeks are working away from their registered voting districts, effectively limiting participation.
“The government found a way for Greeks abroad to vote,” Tsipras said, “but it has not found a way for young people who are away from home because of work to vote.”
The comments suggest Tsipras may seek to frame democratic participation and generational inequality as central themes of the new political movement ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The May 26 launch in Thiseio is expected to provide the first detailed look at the identity, structure and political priorities of the new party, following months of speculation over Tsipras’ return to frontline politics.
