I will always be upfront with the Greek people, so we can solve the country's problems together.

Politics also means educating people. It's important to speak openly with our fellow Greeks, to tell them what our problems are and that we have to change something.

I can officially state that my government and myself believe that all over Europe we need to open a debate on the 'drug question' in order to create more coherent and human policies with better perspectives. . . . The policy of criminalizing consumers has failed, creating many problems to our society.

Countries are not like financial markets. Social change cannot be executed as swiftly as credit-default swaps. You cannot sell short on social commitments and practical responsibilities.

The real problem in Greece is not cutting taxes, it's making sure that we don't have tax evasion.

Everyone needs to carry out his own personal revolution.

The structures in Europe in a globalising economy need to be modernised, need to be more integrated, need to be stronger.