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Greek premier proclaims end to austerity in policy statement

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses the parliament during his government's policy statement in Athens, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. Tsipras came to power two weeks ago riding a wave of hope for change. But his pledge to rewrite the bailout agreement that has kept the country afloat for nearly five years doesn't depend on him alone. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses the parliament during his government's policy statement in Athens, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. Tsipras came to power two weeks ago riding a wave of hope for change. But his pledge to rewrite the bailout agreement that has kept the country afloat for nearly five years doesn't depend on him alone. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

By Associated Press February 8, 2015 1 min read

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greece’s prime minister has presented his newly-elected government’s policy statement to lawmakers, proclaiming an end to the era of austerity and “five years of bailout barbarity.”

Insisting on a “bridge agreement” that would give Greece and its creditors time to negotiate a new debt deal much more favorable to the country by June, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras appeared to insist on an approach that got short shrift from EU partners in a series of meeting that Tsipras himself, and his finance ministers, had with European officials this past week.

Tsipras emphasized measures to provide for the poor and to clash with vested interests. But raising the minimum wage to pre-crisis levels was postponed until 2016.

Greek lawmakers will debate the policy statement and hold a confidence vote at midnight Tuesday.