Greek leader Tsipras admits ‘mistakes and exaggerations’ during bailout talks

Greece’s left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras has used a televised election debate to admit making mistakes in negotiations for a massive new bailout agreement, but insisted the deal would safeguard the country’s financial future.

The 41-year-old Tsipras is seeking re-election in the snap September 20 poll, called after the 86 billion-euro (US$96 billion) rescue deal reached in July split his Syriza party over the harsh austerity measures demanded in return.

“There were mistakes and exaggerations, but they were corrected at the critical moment,” said Tsipras, who spent much of Wednesday night’s debate on the defensive.

“We did not surrender. We reached a painful compromise that has many positive elements for the Greek people.”

Greece is expected to sink back into recession this year after briefly emerging from a six-year contraction. The prospect of continued hardship and the split in Syriza has seen Tsipras lose a huge lead in opinion polls that now put him in a dead heat with rival conservatives.

Smaller parties have also gained support, meaning the winner of this month’s election would likely require the backing of at least two coalition partners.