Search This Blog

Monday, September 21, 2015

Greece election: Alexis Tsipras hails 'victory of the people'

Greece election: Alexis Tsipras hails 'victory of the people



Alexis Tsipras on stage with Panos Kammenos of the Independent GreeksGreece's Alexis Tsipras has said his left-wing Syriza party has a "clear mandate" after winning a second general election in less than nine months.
But he said Greeks faced a difficult road and recovery from financial crisis would only come through hard work.
Syriza has won just over 35%, slightly down on its previous result.
That is again short of a majority, but Syriza will form a coalition with the nationalist Independent Greeks. Conservative New Democracy won 28%.
The far-right Golden Dawn, which is set to be the third biggest party, won 7% of the vote compared with 6.3% in the election in January when Mr Tsipras was first elected.
Sunday's snap election was called after Syriza lost its majority in August.
Some of his MP's defected in protest at the signing of an unpopular new financial bailout deal with international creditors and formed the Popular Unity party.
But the new party has failed to gain enough votes to enter parliament.
Turnout in Sunday's poll was low by Greek standards at just over 55%.
They expected victory, but not by this kind of margin. Only days ago, pollsters and pundits were predicting a tight-run contest, Syriza neck-and-neck with its conservative rivals, New Democracy. Instead, Syriza can comfortably form a coalition government with its previous partner, the nationalist Independent Greeks.
Critics wondered whether it was worth holding a contest which left Greece with the same government as before. But Syriza's leader, Alexis Tsipras, is now in a stronger position, his decision to accept austerity measures in return for bailout cash apparently vindicated by the result.
Yet celebrations have been muted - hundreds not thousands gathering to sing, dance and wave flags. This country has more tough times ahead: tax rises, perhaps further cuts to wages and benefits. The re-elected prime minister has an in-box that no-one could envy.
Tsipras, the man who risked Greek future in euro

Grey line

'Difficulties ahead'

"I feel vindicated because the Greek people have a clear mandate to carry on fighting inside and outside our country to uphold the pride of our people," Mr Tsipras told supporters in Athens.
"In Europe today, Greece and the Greek people are synonymous with resistance and dignity, and this struggle will be continued together for another four years.

Syriza supporters celebrate victory in the Greek electionImage copyrightSyriza supporters were jubilant as their party won its second election in a year
New Democracy supporters listen to the election resultsImage copyrightBut for New Democracy supporters there was disappointment as the scale of the defeat became clear

Mr Tsipras was joined on stage by Panos Kammenos, leader of the the nationalist Independent Greeks, who also entered a coalition with Syriza after January's election.
"Together we will continue the struggle we began seven months ago," Mr Tsipras said.
Greece still faces formidable economic challenges. It is in recession and the new government has to satisfy international creditors that it is fulfilling the terms of thebailout worth up to €86bn ($97bn, £61bn).
Creditors are due to review the progress of the programme in October. Some Syriza MP's remain opposed to its terms.
Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who heads the Eurogroup meetings of eurozone finance ministers, said he was "ready to work closely" with the new Greek government.
"Now a solid government ready to deliver is needed quickly," said European Parliament president Martin Schulz, offering his congratulations.
Near complete results give Syriza 145 seats in the 300-seat parliament, with New Democracy on 75. This is only four fewer than Mr Tsipras's January victory.
The Greek electoral system means the party with the largest number of votes wins a bonus of 50 seats.
The Independent Greeks won 10 seats.

No comments: