PM challenges opposition chief to debate

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday night challenged opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis to a televised debate ahead of general elections, which the government insists will take place as scheduled in October rather than earlier, as widely rumored.

Speaking at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in southern Athens during a presentation of his SYRIZA party's candidates for the upcoming elections for European Parliament, Tsipras chided the New Democracy chief of "always coming second and in a sweat" in television appearances.

"I can recommend a way for him to also get ratings that would be suitable to a leader of the main opposition party: show up for a face-to-face confrontation with me, without the Autocue, without notes," Tsipras said.

The leftist prime minister also appeared confident of victory in the upcoming European polls, which are seen as a litmus...