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December 30, 2014

Greece: Anti-Austerity Syriza Party Headed for Victory in Early Elections 
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Leftists in Greece appear poised for a historic victory after lawmakers
rejected the prime minister's nominee for president, setting the stage
for early elections next month. The failed vote for president triggers
the dissolution of Parliament and comes amidst mounting outrage over
austerity policies which have come as part of Greece's international
bailout. The left-wing Syriza party is leading in polls, paving the way
for Europe's first election of an anti-bailout party bent on reversing
deep cuts demanded by international lenders. Alexis Tsipras, leader of
the Syriza party, and likely the next prime minister of Greece,
celebrated Monday's outcome.

Alexis Tsipras: "Today, my friends, is the beginning of the end of the
regime that sunk the country into poverty, unemployment, grief and
desperation — the beginning of the end of those who were
shamelessly servants of catastrophic policies."

Tsipras has pledged to provide aid to the poor and renegotiate the terms
of Greece's bailout, raising the prospect of a showdown with European
lenders that could renew economic uncertainty.

 

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