Syriza rebels form new new party following Tsipras’ resignation

Greece’s other political parties want to get rid of Mr. Tsipras and Syriza.

Immediately after he addressed the public, Tsipras handed his resignation.

“Election campaigning may demonstrate ambivalence rather than “ownership” towards elements of the programme by the Greek authorities and electorate”, Fitch said.

(Giannis Kotsiaris/ InTime News via AP).

“The certainty is that the need for elections has arisen”, Energy and Environment Minister Panos Skourletis said on state television earlier Thursday, according to The Associated Press. In calling for the vote after Greece received some 13 billion euros (about $14 billion) of new funds from the bailout package, Tsipras is hoping that voters will endorse his approach – and effectively ratify the bailout.

Tsipras resigns but eyes strong return in vote.

Greek media reports said that 25 rebel Syriza MPs would join the new party, called Laiki Enotita (Popular Unity).

But Spannos also expressed a hopeful view for the country as he saw a new anti-austerity movement emerging from the streets of Greece. “It sets the course for the next three years and nothing has changed on that”.

“We will become a major and decisive political force”, Lafazanis vowed, adding that the group will do its utmost “to express the spirit and substance of the 62 percent who voted no to austerity“, referring to the results of a July referendum in which Greeks overwhelmingly expressed their opposition to the bailout deals.

Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity pending an announcement by the prime minister, on Thursday said the snap polls would be held on September 20. If Meimarakis fails within the three-day limit, the next in line to try would be the head of the Nazi-inspired Golden Dawn party, and potentially the centrist To Potami, who both have the same number of seats in the 300-member parliament.

It would then go to the third largest party, the new radical group that left Tsipras’ ruling Syriza party.

The election could hamper or delay a review planned for October of Greece’s progress under its new bailout programme and rekindle concerns about Athens’ ability to honour its pledges, Fitch ratings agency warned.

But the deal came with strict terms for more belt-tightening.

Syriza was deeply divided over Athens’ acceptance of the bailout package finally agreed with worldwide creditors last month, the third for Greece in five years. His coalition government has the support of less 120 members of the 300-seat parliament and has to rely on opoposition MPs to pass legislation. Tsipras relies exclusively on opposition support to pass legislation in parliament.