Left-Wing Syriza Re-Elected in Greece despite Rebellion
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Greece’s left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras has emerged triumphant from a snap general election after securing a dramatic victory over his conservative rival, despite a turbulent first term in office and predictions that the race was too close to call.
Jubilant supporters of Alexis Tsipras’ left-wing Syriza Party cheered, waved party flags and danced Sunday after the party comfortably won Greece’s third national vote this year despite a rebellion within his party over his acceptance of a painful third international bailout.
With 44 percent of the vote counted, Syriza stood at 35.5 percent, with the conservative New Democracy at 28 percent while the Nazi-inspired Golden Dawn was coming in third with 7.1 percent, followed closely by the once-mighty socialist PASOK Party with 6.3 percent. Abstention was high, at nearly 45 percent in an election-weary country with a traditionally high voter turnout.
Although Syriza was projected as falling short of an absolute majority in the 300-member parliament, Tsipras was expected to form a coalition government with relative ease. His former coalition partner, the small nationalist Independent Greeks, was set to win just above the 3 percent threshold to enter parliament, while centrist parties have indicated they would agree to a coalition to ensure repeat elections aren’t necessary, according to the Associated Press.
New Democracy head Vangelis Meimarakis conceded defeat and called for a government to be formed quickly.
“The election result appears to be forming comprehensively with Syriza and Mr. Tsipras coming first,” Meimarakis said. “I congratulate him and call on him to form the government that is necessary, and bring the [proposal] to parliament.”
A total of eight parties appeared set to win parliamentary seats. The new anti-bailout Popular Unity Party, formed by rebel Syriza members who objected to Tsipras’ agreement to a third bailout for Greece, was projected to fall just shy of the 3 percent parliamentary threshold.
It is the third time this year Greeks have voted, after January elections that brought Tsipras to power on an anti-bailout platform, and a July referendum he called urging voters to reject creditor reform proposals.
