Alexis Tsipras urges Greece to curb US ties and warns of ‘white cheque’ policy

Former prime minister and EL.A.S. leader Alexis Tsipras told Politico that Greece must “cool” its overly close relationship with the MAGA‑aligned United States. He criticised Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for granting the United States indefinite access to critical Greek military bases, including the main naval base in Crete, calling the move a “white cheque” that does not serve national interests. Tsipras contrasted Greece’s stance with that of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who barred U.S. use of Spanish bases.

Citing a Pew Research Center poll, Tsipras noted that only 22 % of Greeks trust the U.S. president. He warned that the policy could undermine Greece’s security priorities and urged that any use of bases prioritize Greek defence needs. Ahead of elections expected before Greece assumes the rotating EU Council presidency in July 2027, he called for higher taxes on large multinationals and carbon emissions to fund social cohesion, while insisting defence spending should not crowd out health and education.

Tsipras also outlined EL.A.S.’s four‑pillar programme: relief from wage‑earner tax burdens, restoration of the social state, productive transformation via a national convergence fund, and protection against food, energy and housing price spikes. He said roughly 70 % of Greeks want political change and highlighted corruption as a “hidden tax” draining public resources.