Greek left gov't rejects austerity, extension of bailout program

Greece's new government will stick to its anti-austerity agenda and will not request an extension of the current bailout program which expires on February 28, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Sunday during a closely watched policy statement at the parliament.

Athens will instead seek a bridge agreement with international lenders until a new comprehensive deal will be signed after a renegotiation of the country's debt load, the Greek Premier added.

"The government has no right to ask for an extension of the memorandums and an extension of austerity. It has no right to ask for an extension of an austerity program that was recently rejected by the Greek people," Tsipras stated, outlining the policies of the Radical Left SYRIZA-led administration which emerged after the Jan. 25 elections ahead of a confidence vote scheduled for Tuesday night.

The main goals of the "government of social salvation", according to the Greek leader will be "to restore popular sovereignty, Greece's equal role in the institutional framework of the European Union, dealing with the humanitarian crisis, restoring the dignity of Greek people, social justice and cultural rebirth."

The government's top priority starting as of Wednesday is to address the humanitarian crisis which was fuelled by austerity since 2010, to kick start the economy in order to restore growth by combating tax evasion and bureaucracy, and to implement a national plan for reforms, Tsipras said on Sunday. Enditem