Greek PM vows to break "triangle of corruption", main opposition calls for elections

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reiterated on Tuesday his Left-led government's pledge to break the "vicious triangle of corruption" between part of banks, media barons and the political elite during a heated debate in parliament on justice affairs.

Meanwhile, main opposition conservative New Democracy (ND) party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for elections, claiming that the government cannot resolve the country's pressing problems.

Tuesday's debate on the Greek justice system and corruption was held with the initiative of the government.

Addressing the plenary on Tuesday evening the premier explained that the government launched the dialogue to put an end to rumors poisoning the political climate lately and send a clear message of determination to shed light and combat corruption.

A problematic justice system undermines citizens' trust in political leadership, Tsipras noted, referring to several investigations into the dealings of wealthy famous businessmen, media moguls and corrupt officials which have been shelved in recent years.

The premier said that the government will request for an in-depth investigation of "shady" loan agreements between banks, political parties and media groups to be conducted until June by a special parliamentary examining committee.

Tsipras promised to eradicate the "triangle of corruption which rules Greece over the past four decades" from the start of his first term in office after the January 2015 elections.

On his part, Mitsotakis accused the government on Tuesday of creating "fictional enemies" to divert peoples' attention from the real major challenges Greece faces today: the debt and refugee crises.

Addressing the parliament, the leader of the main opposition said that Tsipras' government which was reelected in September's snap polls, exacerbated problems.

"If you cannot govern the country quit before you lead Greece to destruction ... If the current parliament cannot give the solution, let people decide. The cost of your stay in power is bigger that the cost of a change of guard," Mitsotakis said.

The main opposition chief also accused the government of attempting to interfere in the operation of justice and "bargaining with the same media barons accused of corruption for positive media coverage."

Political analysts in Athens commented that Tuesday's heated debate showed that there was no prospect of achieving wider consensus in Greece's political scene in the near future to face the two crises which have tested the country's limits. Endit