ATHENS – "Art is not a luxury affair, it is a fundamental element in our lives, our existence and our potential to be psychologically healthy and upright, to be inspired," underlined main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras while speaking to the radio station "Sto Kokkino" on Tuesday, on the occasion of #save_art Action Day organised by the newspaper Avghi and the radio station "Sto Kokkino" for the support of those working in the arts and culture sector.

The main opposition leader sternly accused the government of lacking a plan for the support the people working in culture, in particular, while criticising its actions with respect to the economy in general.

Commenting on a debate taking place in parliament, meanwhile, Tsipras said that "the current crisis should not become an opportunity to return, in the name of lost growth, to policies that destroy our environment, the most valuable thing that we have."

Referring to those working in culture, he said that they are unable to get support via the allowance for suspended staff because they did not have an active contract and he criticised the sums announced by the culture minsitry as additional funding as "pitifully small" in comparison with the needs that exist, pointing out that they do not even make up for the amounts cut from the 2019 budget for culture.