ATHENS — Main opposition SYRIZA on Wednesday continued the dialogue it has launched with leftist and progressive forces, following up the communication between SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras and the Spanish government's Second Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias with video conferences between SYRIZA delegations and the Spanish parties Podemos and Izquierda Unida (United Left). The two parties had formed the electoral alliance Unidas Podemos in the elections and both participate in the Spanish government.

According to a SYRIZA press release, the virtual meetings focused on developments in Spain and Greece, as well as broader European developments relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and its repercussions.

They covered initiatives taken by the Spanish government to support public health, the economy, labour and the social state, as well as the introduction of the Minimum Guarantee Income. SYRIZA outlined its "Menoume Orthioi" plan for supporting society and the economy.

All sides highlighted the importance of the six-month German presidency of the European Union for the future of Europe and discussed the European Commission's proposals for a post-pandemic recovery fund, stressing that this must be based on a bigger EU budget and grants, not loans.

Discussion also covered current affairs internationally, while SYRIZA referred to Turkey's provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and "the need for these to also be addressed by the European Union, through an active policy."