Here’s more about what’s expected from Alexis Tsipras when he speaks to parliament later. Helena Smith reports:

The leftist leader will open a three-day debate on his new government’s policy plans arguing the corrosive effects of austerity will be softened by the implementation of a “parallel program” of social benefits. Tsipras, who was given a second chance when Greeks elected to renew his term in office with a second electoral victory in September, will be alone in addressing the 300-seat House tonight.

Acutely aware of the damaging effect of successive rounds of punitive belt-tightening measures, the 41-year-old premier will emphazise the policies his two-party coalition will take to ameliorate the blow of yet more measures in the coming months. Tsipras has frequently said that while he has been forced to compromise with creditors keeping the debt-stricken country afloat, he has not “been compromised.

Speaking to his Syriza party MPs this weekend, he insisted the leftists will differentiate themselves from previous governments by tending to the vulnerable. Athens University professor of law and economics Aristides Hatzis told us: “Tsipras is the only leader who could enforce such measures. He is a leftwing leader being asked to implement neo-liberal policies that no right-wing government could enforce.”

The three-day parliamentary debate will end with a midnight vote of confidence on Wednesday.