Left-wing party will form coalition after election win in Greece

Tsipras called the snap election to gain a new mandate after his government failed to reverse a €85bn bailout deal with European Union lenders, which would force the Greek state to continue heavy cuts to jobs and services.

Tsipras told supporters that he would tackle endemic corruption in the country.

As large numbers arrived on the small tourist island of Leros this week, the local Mayor had threatened to stop voters taking part in the general election unless he received more support from Greek government.

Alexis Tsipras and his left-wing Syriza party celebrated a “victory of the people” after winning the September 20 election, while main opposition conservative New Democracy party conceded defeat – again. “It’s a wonderful victory, a clear victory, and a success of the people”.

Before poll results emerged, he launched a scathing attack against his former party.

An worldwide review of Greece’s reform efforts is due before the end of the year, and a positive verdict will be necessary to start accessing the country’s new 86 billion-euro (USD97 billion) bailout, its third rescue package since 2010.

Only days ago, pollsters and pundits were predicting a tight-run contest, Syriza neck-and-neck with its conservative rivals, New Democracy. Tsipras on Sunday night announced that he will form a coalition government with Independent Greeks.

Popular Unity appears to have fallen below the three percent threshold required to enter the Greek Parliament, depriving them of any representation.

Tsipras had fought an uphill battle following his spectacular U-turn on previous promises to tear up the excoriating bailout agreements successive Greek governments had signed with global creditors. Polls ahead of Sunday’s vote showed a much closer race between Syriza and New Democracy. He will then appoint a cabinet which will be sworn in Tuesday. It will rule in a coalition with the Independent Greeks, a nationalist party that won 3.6 percent.

The vote was held as Greece struggles to cope with Europe’s refugee crisis, and Golden Dawn performed strongly on the eastern island of Kos – which has seen massive refugee arrivals from Turkey – nearly doubling its percentage there to 10%.

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