Finally, is Tsipras defending democracy? Again, no. Greeks voted in January for a government that promised to deliver an end to bailout-related austerity, without a default or eventual return to the drachma. This, as must now be clear, was a false promise; to deliver it required that the creditor countries agree. Taxpayers in these countries did not get a vote on whether to loan Greece more of their money on lesser terms, and wouldn't agree if asked.
This conflict between democratic mandates, of course, raises the question of whether the euro should ever have been created. It has been no more a democratic enterprise than are Tsipras's claims. That decision, however, is in the past. The question for Greeks today is whether they think the leftist policies of Syriza will give them a better future with default, capital controls and the drachma. If Tsipras were really concerned about democracy, he'd make sure that Greeks get a vote to decide that question, before he decides it for them.
The push is on to unseat Syriza. You can bet that if Syriza is forced out that the reason will be because saving freedom and democracy.
Bloomberg View
Tsipras Isn't on the Side of Democracy
Marc Champion
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