Maybe he’s trying to raise his Klout score?
Greece's prime minister Alexis Tsipras took to Twitter to express his frustration on the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Central Bank denying an extension to the bailout money scheduled to run out on Tuesday, and his hopes for a no vote on the upcoming July 5 snap referendum on the eurozone bailout.
Holding nothing back -- Tsipras called the negotiations with the EU "blackmail -- Tsipras tweeted for over an hour about his frustrations with Greece's European partners.
The crisis intensified over the weekend as the country closed its banks and looked increasingly close to defaulting on its debts. And in his tweet storm, Tsipras placed blame on the three organizations, calling the European Commission’s request that Greece make major cuts to its budget in order to receive its final payment “blackmail.”
“Having asphyxiated banks & denied extension request, is it reasonable to expect that IMF installment will be paid tomorrow?” Tsipras tweeted. “Our people have remained calm in face of blackmail. Outside attempts to sway them only strengthens their resolve.”
The tweets appeared to be a live coverage from his Monday afternoon interview in ERT Social, but it’s still a lot of 140-character capped feels from the embattled prime minister. (And for those of you fluent in Greek, you can luckily follow along on a separate feed.)
The people of Europe stand by us-marching in solidarity w/Greek flags. #Democracy will prevail. @ErtSocial #Greece pic.twitter.com/WtpBfroeDO— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Today at 10pm, I will be interviewed live on #ert by journalists P. Haritos and A. Alafogiorgos. #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The Greek people will make their opinion on the developments known: their voice will be heard. @ErtSocial #ert #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The Greek people have a right to decide on their future. @ErtSocial #ert #Greece #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The #referendum will give us a stronger negotiating position when the talks resume. @ErtSocial #Greece #Greferendum #dimopsifisma— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The institutions were not interested in finding common ground, but rather to impose extreme measures. @ErtSocial #Greece #OXI #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The institutions were not interested in finding common ground, but rather to impose extreme measures. @ErtSocial #Greece #OXI #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Although our final proposal had been accepted, the institutions backtracked thus undermining the prospect of an agreement @ErtSocial #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
This is an attempt to block any alternative political view-this is clearly a political choice. The ppl will decide differently. #ert #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The institutions' proposal came with a requirement--that we agree to it within 48 hours. @ErtSocial #ert #Greece #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The initial responses to our request for an extension weren't negative. The #Eurogroup's decision came as a surprise. #ert #Greferendum #OXI— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The strategy to prompt bank closures is simply an attempt to block the #referendum. Bad day for Europe's history. #ert #dimopsifisma #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We will respect the decision of the Greek people, whatever it may be. @ErtSocial #ert #Greece #Greferendum #OXI— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The US Sec. of Treasury, publicly stated that an agreement must contain debt restructuring for #Greece. @ErtSocial #ert #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The presidents of the parties in the EU Parliament issued a decision in support of #Greece's request for an extension of the program. #ert— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Across Europe, workers have right to stand up for themselves. Unemployment in #Greece is 27%-so why try to block collective bargaining? #ert— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The institutions insist on ideological measures w/no financial benefit, e.g., collective bargaining agreements. #ert #Greece #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The power is in the people's hands: Greek people will vote #OXI / NO to submission, unemployment, migration of young people #ert #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Our people have remained calm in face of blackmail. Outside attempts to sway them only strengthens their resolve. #Greece #OXI #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We will be ready to reach a sustainable agreement after #OXI / NO vote in the #referendum. #dimopsifisma @ErtSocial #ert #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Having asphyxiated banks & denied extension request, is it reasonable to expect that IMF installment will be paid tomorrow? #ert #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The partners accept IMF's proposals for tough austerity measures but not proposals for restructuring debt. #ert #Greece #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
The partners accept IMF's proposals for tough austerity measures but not proposals for restructuring debt. #ert #Greece #Greferendum— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We want to remain in EZ. We are not "guests" in Europe. Greece is in the heart of Europe. @ErtSocial #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We want to remain in EZ. We are not "guests" in Europe. Greece is in the heart of Europe. @ErtSocial #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We implemented large part of our program even w/econ asphyxiation: 100 installments, humanitarian crisis bill, 5 euro hospital charge. #ert— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Our goal is to change power dynamics. Our priority is to fulfill our election commitments. @ErtSocial #ert #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We will insist on negotiating. While we're close on fiscal matters, other issues loom large. We seek a viable solution. #Greece #ert— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
We have justice on our side. If we can overcome fear, then there is nothing left to fear. @ErtSocial #ert #Greece pic.twitter.com/EISB3xw93m— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 29, 2015
Tsipras has been finding solace on the social media page in the past few days, as the financial crisis in Greece intensifies. On Sunday, he quoted Franklin Roosevelt:
In these critical hours, we must remember that the only thing to fear is fear itself. #Greece— Alexis Tsipras (@tsipras_eu) June 28, 2015
But maybe Tsipras should also fear having his Twitter account disabled.