Will a breath of fresh air sweep through Greece on Sunday - and upset the EU applecart?

[David Guyatt]

It would be nice to see a genuine shift in politics that factors in the people, not simply big business and the establishment.

Alexis Tsipras of Syriza is far from Greek orthodox: The Communist 'Harry Potter' who could implode the Eurozone



The leader of the Greek left-wing party may be just 40, but if Tsipras assumes power in Sunday's snap elections he could change Europe forever

HELEN NIANIAS

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Alexis Tsipras, a former Communist and committed anti-austerity cheerleader who has been compared to Harry Potter, could radically change Europe. Here's what you need to know about him.

Boy wizard
Tsipras, leader of Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left), was likened to JK Rowling's fictional wizard by Greece's current deputy prime minister, Evangelos Venizelos, for making fantastical promises that he won't be able to keep. He said: "Tsipras promises paradise on earth without sacrifices, a return to prosperity in some sort of magical way, as if he was Harry Potter."
Unorthodox family life
Still with his family sweetheart, and still unmarried, Tsipras and partner Peristera Batziaka have been together for two decades and they have two young sons. They met at school, and became members of the Communist Youth of Greece. If Tsipras assumes power on Sunday, he'll be the first unmarried Greek prime minister - a big change for a socially conservative country. The couple even named their second son after Ernesto Che Guevara. Batziaka has been described by the Greek media as "strong-willed, militant and dynamic" as well as publicity-shy.
Inexperienced
It's no shock that a 40-year-old might not have too much experience as the leader of a nation, but it's made some nervous. "Syriza's trump card is this: he has never ruled and was not 'in charge' of the crisis," Venizelos told La Stampa.

"Technically, the debt is sustainable, we pay 40 per cent less interest than in 2010. And this is exactly the point of disagreement with Syriza, which argues that the debt is unsustainable because Greece will never be able to repay it all." Arguing this this is no time for optimistic rhetoric, Venizelos added: "The problems remain and they beg for solutions."
He says: 'We speak the language of hope where others speak the language of fear.'Informal
Tsipras stands out from conventional politicians. He eschews neck ties and has a more informal manner with supporters. German newspaper Spiegel describe him as walking "up to the lectern like Elvis strutting onstage".
Greek protests on anniversary of teen's killing
1 of 7 Brussels is nervous
Tsipras has pledged to reverse the austerity measures imposed on Greece, and many fear he will refuse to repay the €240 billion (£184 billion) that Greece owes creditors. Tsipras has said: "Austerity is not part of the European treaties; democracy and the principle of popular sovereignty are." Writing in theFinancial Times on Wednesday, he said: "A Syriza government will respect Greece's obligation, as a eurozone member, to maintain a balanced budget, and will commit to quantitative targets."
Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, warned against Greece trying to haggle down the debt this week in an interview with the Irish Times:"Collective endeavours are welcome," she said, "but at the same time a debt is a debt and it is a contract."
People power
His party is currently ahead in the polls. Syriza commands 35 per cent of the projected votes, well ahead of right-wing New Democracy (currently part of the governing coalition) who have 31 per cent. By promising to raise the minimum wage, give food and electricity and create 300,000 new jobs, Tsipras has become incredibly popular with struggling Greeks. Around a quarter of Greek people are unemployed, and over 200,000 Greeks have left the country since the financial crisis, which started in 2010. Since jobs were cut, prostitution had soared by 150 per cent by 2013, with some women forced to sell their bodies for just €5 a go. There's no doubt that Tspiras' anti-austerity promises have captured the public's heart.

[Magda Hassan]

As long as he walks the talk it will be good. If nothing else it is refreshing to see a polly more like 'real' people in informal clothing, informal manners, informal social relations. None of this puffed up pomposity of office. I was talking to some one today about the 'honours' sytem and we both thought that when any one has a gong we automatically think they are a crook, corrupt and a sleaze.

[David Guyatt]

As long as he walks the talk it will be good. If nothing else it is refreshing to see a polly more like 'real' people in informal clothing, informal manners, informal social relations. None of this puffed up pomposity of office. I was talking to some one today about the 'honours' sytem and we both thought that when any one has a gong we automatically think they are a crook, corrupt and a sleaze.

That's because they are crooks -- and need the respectability an honour bestows upon them to psychologically cleanse their own shadow when they look in the mirror, I suppose.

But a real shame about Tony Blair don't you think. Not even a lowly "Sir". It must hurt, eh. Even John Major got one of those. And although he made it clear to the Queen that he expected to be made a member of the Garter order, as traditionally all British prime ministers normally are, he got the Order of the Thistle instead. So sad.

[Magda Hassan]

That's because they are crooks -- and need the respectability an honour bestows upon them to psychologically cleanse their own shadow when they look in the mirror, I suppose.

There is no fig leaf or gong big enough to cover their crimes and shame.

But a real shame about Tony Blair don't you think. Not even a lowly "Sir". It must hurt, eh. Even John Major got one of those. And although he made it clear to the Queen that he expected to be made a member of the Garter order, as traditionally all British prime ministers normally are, he got the Order of the Thistle instead. So sad.

Because he is a prick(ly) weed.

[David Guyatt]

That's because they are crooks -- and need the respectability an honour bestows upon them to psychologically cleanse their own shadow when they look in the mirror, I suppose.

There is no fig leaf or gong big enough to cover their crimes and shame.

I agree, from the perspective of the outside objective observer, but a great many men have an amazing capacity for lying to themselves. It's much the same thing as getting an honour from the Pope that is treated by crooked men as a benediction from God. Complete balls, of course, but they often believe it - or will themselves to.

[Magda Hassan]

It would be nice to see a genuine shift in politics that factors in the people, not simply big business and the establishment.

Alexis Tsipras of Syriza is far from Greek orthodox: The Communist 'Harry Potter' who could implode the Eurozone

I think its about time we tried a communist Harry Potter type. Don't think we have had one of those yet and can't be any worst than any thing before. eurozone needs imploding too. I see Draghi has just printed a bunch of money to keep it from drowning.

[David Guyatt]

The Greek voters voted with their feet and Syriza got two seats short of an overall majority - but the party will take power with the assistance of another party/ two independent seats. Talks are taking place.

Greece elections: Syriza and EU on collision course after election win for left-wing party



Success for Syriza party may provoke economic siege by European Union

PATRICK COCKBURN

ATHENS

Sunday 25 January 2015

Greek voters have rebelled against the austerity programme imposed by Brussels and Berlin in return for loans to fund Greece's massive debt. The radical left Syriza party, which promises better terms for Greece, won a decisive victory in the general election today and is close to winning an absolute majority in parliament.

With 88 per cent of the votes counted, Syriza was on 36.3 per cent of the vote and was projected by the Interior Ministry to get 149 seats just two short of an overall majority.
The ruling New Democracy was on 27.9 per cent, which could see it get 76 seats, followed by the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party on 6.3 per cent (17 seats), the centrist To Potami on 6 per cent (17 seats) and the Communist KKE on 5.5 per cent (15 seats). The right-wing Independent Greeks party on just over 4.7 per cent (13 seats) and the once mighty, centre-left Pasok party was on just under 4.7 per cent (13 seats). The leading party receives a bonus of 50 seats in the 300-member parliament.
New Democracy's Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, was defeated because he failed to end the bailout, get a Greek debt reduction, lift the economy out of deep recession despite some recent improvements and get the IMF removed from the much-hated troika (EU, ECB and IMF) that has exercised a near-colonial control over the Greek economy.
Syriza may seek to form a government on its own or it could look for allies such as Pasok and the Potami party. But it will soon find itself in a confrontation with the EU as it look for relaxation in the austerity that has reduced four million Greeks to poverty.
At the same time, Greece remains saddled with €240bn in debt that it is unable to repay but must continue to service. Continual cuts and tax rises made it impossible for Greece to escape from a deep recession despite marginal improvements last year.

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Mr Tsipras says he does not want to leave the EU or the euro and neither option is popular in Greece. The EU will not want a relaxation to austerity in Greece because of the impact this would have on heavily indebted countries such as Italy, Spain and France.
The Greek rebellion against its EU economic overlords may provoke a prolonged economic siege as Syriza seeks to negotiate new terms for a bailout while the EU waits for a lack of money to force Greece to comply with existing agreements. Professor Aristides Hatzis of the University of Athens says: "It is like a game of chicken, with Greece and the EU driving towards each other and each hoping the other will swerve first to avoid a collision." He adds that one must keep in mind the disparity in power between the two drivers. "The EU leaders are driving a German Mercedes and the Greeks are in a beat-up old jalopy."
A new Greek government will immediately face problems because the creditor states have frozen $8.8bn (£5.9bn) in loan disbursements while the present government has reached a $17.4bn ceiling for bond sales under the EU programme. A Syriza government would have to rely on taxes but tax revenues are down as people wait to see if taxes will be reduced by the new government. This means that Greece may only have the money though this is disputed by Syriza leaders until the end of February to pay state employees and pensions and service the debt. At the same time, eurozone finance ministers will extend negotiations until September.
READ MORE: REACTIONS: RUSSELL BRAND SAYS HE'D VOTE FOR SYRIZA
COMMUNIST 'HARRY POTTER' WHO COULD IMPLODE EUROZONE
VOICES: 'SYRIZA'S VOW TO END 'NATIONAL HUMILIATION' IS HOLLOW'

This impending collision with the EU frightens Greeks, but they also feel that five years of being dictated to by Brussels and Berlin has brought them nothing but pain. The Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told his supporters at a final rally, held in a closed stadium built for the Taikwondo championships in the 2004 Olympics, that Greeks would be "committing national suicide" if they voted for the radical left in the shape of Syriza.
Expectations are not that high even among Syriza activists. At a polling station in central Athens today, Vanda Theodorou, a keen Syriza supporter, said: "When it comes to unemployment I don't think we can do much if we form the government. But we will make improvements in health by providing healthcare for the unemployed." The unemployed receive €300 to €400 a month during the first year they are without a job and after that nothing.
Ms Theodorou, formerly a journalist, said she had been unemployed since 2007 and so were her two daughters. She said "the state has not provided any social safety net and treats people like garbage". She pointed to her mouth, which was swollen, and said that her jaw had been broken in a car crash last year and she needed to have many of the smashed teeth replaced, but could not afford to do so.
The degree of radical change Syriza can introduce even with an absolute majority will be limited by its lack of money and the unwillingness of 75 per cent of Greeks to leave the euro because a return to the drachma is not really feasible. Greece imports most of its needs and has no important allies in its confrontation with the EU. On the other hand, as the first radical-left government in Europe for decades, it will fight very hard to show that it can deliver on its promises to give free electricity to those cut off, provide food stamps for children, provide healthcare to the uninsured, provide accommodation to the homeless and raise the minimum wage from under €500 a month to €750.
Greeks view the outcome of the election with a mixture of hope and trepidation. Antonios, a businessman in the financial services sector who supports the New Democracy Party, says he fears that a Syriza victory will destabilise the country and lead to a reverse of many reforms. "Already people are moving money out of Greece," he says. "The recession that is beginning to ease may get worse again. I hope there won't be a bank run on Monday, but it could happen." With the economy so badly damaged, Antonios understands why popular resentment runs very deep.
The election has once again opened up the deep traditional divisions between left and right in Greece, rooted in the German occupation, the civil war, the rule of the colonels up to 1974 and the unprecedented economic collapse of the last five years.
"A vote for Syriza is a vote for anger," says Professor Hatzis. There is fury that the better-off and the oligarchs have succeeded in avoiding paying for a financial disaster that was largely of their making. He says that Mr Samaras's government wanted to satisfy the demands for reform by the Troika by introducing "across-the-board cuts in order to avoid structural reform". The corrupt clientist system in which financial oligarchs had a large measure of control over Greek politics was largely the creation of the New Democracy and Pasok parties that lost so heavily in the election. "The Greek government has protected the oligarchy and the cartels over the last two years," says Professor Hatzis.
In theory, a radical party like Syriza is in a far better position to introduce structural reforms than that of Mr Samaras representing the political and economic establishment. One of the problems for the Troika is that it is the very fact change was being imposed by abroad, and most notably by Germany, which delegitimised necessary reforms. Compromise between Greece and the EU should be possible, but the problem remains that the EU leaders hold all the high cards and may be tempted to impose their will regardless of whom the Greeks vote for. The Greeks also fear that the priority for the Germans and North Europeans is to continue to be tough on Greece in order to send a warning to governments in Spain, Italy and France that they must stick to austerity.

Watch this space.

[Magda Hassan]

The Greek voters voted with their feet and Syriza got two seats short of an overall majority - but the party will take power with the assistance of another party/ two independent seats. Talks are taking place.

Syriza may seek to form a government on its own or it could look for allies such as Pasok and the Potami party.

The KKE (communists party) does not want to be in coalition with Syriza as they are just another bourgeois capitalist party, albeit and kinder smiley type of capitalism. But the KKE would be perfectly willing to work on any issue with Syriza that weakens the banksters.

Watch this space.

I'm riveted to it.

[Magda Hassan]

Wonder how Siriza are going to deal with a police force riddled with Golden Dawn fascists for starters.

[David Guyatt]

Wonder how Siriza are going to deal with a police force riddled with Golden Dawn fascists for starters.

In light of the below my guess is they'll do absolutely nothing...

Greece has a new government as Syriza forms coalition with right-wing Independent Greeks



The parties are united by their opposition to the loan agreement between Greece and the EU

LIZZIE DEARDEN

Monday 26 January 2015

The coalition between Greece's left-wing election victors Syriza and the right-wing Independent Greeks has been described as the "worst possible outcome" for the country's troubled economy.

It took less than an hour of talks this morning for an alliance to be struck, with the groups bridging their numerous differences in a shared opposition to austerity measures enforced by the EU.
Economics analyst Wolf Piccoli, from Teneo Intelligence, told Bloomberg that although Syriza may enjoy a short "honeymoon", it is badly paired with its new coalition partner and the inevitable clash of extreme left and right-wing ideas could cause instability.
"It is the worst possible outcome, let's be very clear about that," he said. "The Independent Greeks are a conspiracy-prone nationalist party…it's a bad mix, let's put it that way. Also there's not much experience in government on both sides.
Panos Kammenos' Independent Greeks have been described as a 'conspiracy-prone nationalist party'"This is a coalition of strange bedfellows because apart from the anti-austerity approach, these are two parties that are ideologically very divided.
"One is extreme left, the other is extreme right, they share no views at all together concerning issues like migration, like citizenship, so the glue is just about anti-austerity."
The leader of Syriza, Alexis Tsipras, will be Greece's new Prime Minister and is expected to appoint his cabinet later today when he submits the names to President Karolos Papoulias.
The combination of Syriza's 149 MPs and the Independent Greeks' group of 13 will give the Government a slim majority of 162 seats out of 300.
Supporters of Alexis Tsipras, leader of Syriza left-wing party, cheer during a rally outside Athens University Headquarters in AthensIn a statement to reporters as he emerged from Syriza's headquarters this morning, Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos said: "I want to say, simply, that from this moment, there is a government. The Independent Greeks will give a vote of confidence to the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
"The aim for all Greeks is to embark on a new day, with full sovereignty."
Syriza swept to a historic victory yesterday with its radical pledge for a "new deal" for the country's finances, vowing to completely re-write its massive bailout deal with the Eurozone.
It narrowly missed out on a majority in the Greek parliament but beat current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras's conservative coalition into second place and the neo-fascist Golden Dawn into third.

Thousands of supporters turned out to watch 40-year-old Mr Tsipras speak in central Athens after his opponents conceded defeat last night.
"The Greek people have written history," he said as the crowd roared its approval. "Greece is leaving behind catastrophic austerity, fear and autocratic government."
Alexis Tsipras, opposition leader and head of radical leftist Syriza party, greets supporters after the initial election results for the Greece general elections in AthensBut the new coalition partners may prove to be uneasy bedfellows.
While Syriza founds its vision of a new Greece in socialism, promising to write off national debt, hugely increase public investment in services and the welfare state and raise employment levels, the Independent Greeks have taken a more populist stance by opposing immigration and multiculturalism and calling for a greater role for the Orthodox Church in education.
The party, said by some analysts to be the "Greek equivalent of Ukip", is home to several defectors from the centre-right New Democracy and reached a peak of 33 MPs after the 2012 Greek elections.
Both groups strongly reject the loan agreement between Greece, the EU and the International Monetary Fund, now uniting to negotiate with international lenders while attempting to keep the country's fragile economy afloat.

Yanis Varoufakis, the newly-appointed finance minister, said Syriza had won a "poisoned chalice" in an interview with Radio 4's Today programme.
"Tragically our state became bankrupt and Europe decided to deal with this by placing the largest loan on the poorest shoulders on the condition that we would have to shrink our income to a quarter," he added.
"Anyone could see this would be bad news and this fiscal waterboarding turned Greece into a dead state.
"The one glimmer of the light is that the Greek democracy decided to elect us. And to quote your Dylan Thomas we tried to go into the light and did not go gentle into that night."
Supporters of Alexis Tsipras, leader of Syriza left-wing party, cheer during a rally outside Athens University Headquarters in AthensHe said the billions spent on the Eurozone bailout had gone into the "dark pit of creditors" and Greece needed to end that vicious cycle with "genuine reforms...putting an end to corruption and bureaucracy".
The new government , which will keep the Euro, faces an immediate cash shortage, with a dwindling primary surplus, upcoming loan repayments, and limits on the money it can raise using treasury bill auctions.
The Eurozone has already felt the impact of the surprise election result, with stocks on Japan's Nikkei index down 0.25 per cent on European concerns.
The Euro fell sharply against the dollar last night, hitting a low of as $1.1088 - the lowest level against the US currency in more than 11 years.
Supporters of Germany's left-wing Die Linke party, hold placards as they show their support to Alexis Tsipras, leader of Syriza left-wing party after his speech to supporters in central AthensSyriza's financial planning official, Giorgos Stathakis, confirmed today that the new government had no plans to meet negotiators from the "troika" of the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund and would instead seek talks directly with governments.
Greek voters swung to the once-marginal left-wing party after five years of punishing austerity measures demanded under 240 billion euro (£179 billion) bailout deals threw hundreds of thousands of people out of work and left nearly a third of the country without state health insurance.