Alexis Tsipras takes ‘full responsibility’ for signing deal he doesn’t believe in (video link in comments)

As promised in the title: this page has the video of the TV interview, with simultaneous translation in English (scroll in video to 1:14).

Tl, didn't watch for the video:

Greek Prime Minister Tsipras signed the agreement with the Eurogroup, but he does not believe in it. Yet he says he will carry it out, because he wants to take responsibility and because he has averted a disaster. "I will not tell the Greeks that I have come back with a success story, but I tried to do what was possible."

(Under the agreement Greece will receive an additional 86 billion euros in aid, but the country must undertake radical reforms in return immediately.)

"I have signed an agreement which I do not believe, but I will be performing and recording my responsibilities." He also wants to take all political responsibility in the coming four years. There will not be early elections. "I will do everything necessary to preserve the unity of Syriza"

A deal was needed to avoid disaster for Greece. A collapse of the banks and a Grexit from the euro zone would have caused serious damage to the middle class and poorer Greeks. He asks the MPs to approve the reforms. Moreover, thanks to the deal we can talk about the possible cancellation of debts and investments.

At the same time the Prime Minister says that things have to change. "We need to tackle corruption and tax evasion." "Greece must adhere to the fiscal adjustments as required in the agreement. Once the Greek economy starts growing again, I hope to distribute the revenue equally."

Tsipras has nothing good to say about the way the deal has been concluded. The night of the EU summit in Brussels was "bad for Europe. The way in which Greece was put under pressure 'did not honor the European tradition."

Concerning the referendum, Tsipras said that he initially believed it could secure a better deal for Greece. It was never his intention to bring the Greek membership of the euro zone at risk. The attitude of the creditors to the referendum, however, he calls "vindictive."

/r/europe Thread Link - irishtimes.com