Greek Syriza Outpaces New Democracy Party Ahead of Sunday Elections

But two weeks later, the Greek parliament approved a three-year, 86 billion euro bailout package, without the support of many Syriza parliamentarians, causing a split in the party and leading to Tsipras’ resignation…. However, Tsipras was unable to negotiate an end to austerity with Greece’s creditors-the international Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

Prominent party members who deserted Syriza stood in the same spot Tuesday night, lining up to attack Tsipras and his short-lived government as Greeks head back to the polls Sunday with political parties fractured by the weight of a massive new international bailout that aims to prevent a potentially catastrophic default and Greece being forced out of the eurozone.

So far, however, Tsipras has vehemently ruled out cooperating with New Democracy.

The vote leader could seek alliances with Potami and Pasok, small parties that both voted for the new bailout in August.

After winning 36.4 percent of the vote in January elections, the party of former premier Alexis Tsipras narrowly failed to secure an absolute majority in parliament. A week later, he stepped down and the dissenters went on to create their own party, calling it Popular Unity.

The poll showed the Independent Greeks party, the junior partner in the previous coalition government, barely making it into parliament with support at the 3.0 percent entry threshold.

Meimarakis, who has accused Tsipras of lying to voters and squandering Greece’s fiscal surplus, has promised to recharge the economy and boost political collaboration.

The euphoric hope that drove SYRIZA into power in January, that Greece would stage a successful political challenge to austerity while retaining its status within Europe has largely ebbed.

“They all lied to us and nothing has changed – it’s still terrible”, she said.

“The stability and depth of the coalition are its most crucial aspects”, he added, “since implementing the plan will require the government to take some more very difficult decisions”.