The Greek political party SYRIZA, a coalition of radical left-wing political movements, has recently attracted huge media attention accross Europe.  At the occasion of the May 2012 general elections, it became the second largest party in the Greek parliament, and its leader Alexis Tsipras was even asked to form a new government.  Like two other party leaders, he failed to do so, and new legislative elections are to be held in Greece on June 17th, 2012.

Interestingly, in its electoral platform, SYRIZA explicitly mentions the idea of an uncondictional basic income (ελάχιστο εγγυημένο εισόδημα). The relevant paragraph reads:  “‘Diverse fragmentary reforms and policies must be united in a national system of guaranteed funds from the national budget. An unconditional basic income, accomodation with heating, electricity and telecommunications, food and clothing, transport, help at home, legal coverage and representation can thus become rights of all citizens.” (translation by Nicholas Vrousalis).

The platform is at:

http://www.syriza.gr/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=1853&Itemid=170

Basic income makes its appearance under point (7.)