“Second Chance for Syriza,” reads the front page of Greek financial daily Naftermporiki on Monday, following the election that returns the leftist party’s leader Alexis Tsipras as prime minister.
With just over 35% of the vote, Syriza came out on top, leaving center-right New Democracy behind at 28%. But Tsipras’ victory is less resounding than it was in January, with a record 44% who didn’t vote.
Tsipras will form a coalition government with the Greek Independents, who were already part of his first government. The Syriza leader said obtaining a debt-relief packagewas the top priority, though he will be expected to oversee the implementation of tough austerity measures and major reforms, as part of the third bailout he agreed to. As today’s editorial in newspaper To Vima puts it, “He is not allowed to fail.”
