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Greece election: Alexis Tsipras hails 'victory of the people' | Greece election: Alexis Tsipras hails 'victory of the people' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Greece's Alexis Tsipras has said his left-wing Syriza party has a "clear mandate" after winning a second general election in less than nine months. | Greece's Alexis Tsipras has said his left-wing Syriza party has a "clear mandate" after winning a second general election in less than nine months. |
But he said Greeks faced a difficult road and recovery from financial crisis would only come through hard work. | But he said Greeks faced a difficult road and recovery from financial crisis would only come through hard work. |
Syriza has won just over 35%, slightly down on its previous result. | Syriza has won just over 35%, slightly down on its previous result. |
That is again short of a majority, but Syriza will form a coalition with the nationalist Independent Greeks. Conservative New Democracy won 28%. | That is again short of a majority, but Syriza will form a coalition with the nationalist Independent Greeks. Conservative New Democracy won 28%. |
The far-right Golden Dawn, which is set to be the third biggest party, won 7% of the vote compared with 6.3% in the election in January when Mr Tsipras was first elected. | The far-right Golden Dawn, which is set to be the third biggest party, won 7% of the vote compared with 6.3% in the election in January when Mr Tsipras was first elected. |
Sunday's snap election was called after Syriza lost its majority in August. | Sunday's snap election was called after Syriza lost its majority in August. |
Some of his MP's defected in protest at the signing of an unpopular new financial bailout deal with international creditors and formed the Popular Unity party. | Some of his MP's defected in protest at the signing of an unpopular new financial bailout deal with international creditors and formed the Popular Unity party. |
But the new party has failed to gain enough votes to enter parliament. | But the new party has failed to gain enough votes to enter parliament. |
Turnout in Sunday's poll was low by Greek standards at just over 55%. | Turnout in Sunday's poll was low by Greek standards at just over 55%. |
Analysis: Paul Moss, BBC News, Athens | Analysis: Paul Moss, BBC News, Athens |
They expected victory, but not by this kind of margin. Only days ago, pollsters and pundits were predicting a tight-run contest, Syriza neck-and-neck with its conservative rivals, New Democracy. Instead, Syriza can comfortably form a coalition government with its previous partner, the nationalist Independent Greeks. | They expected victory, but not by this kind of margin. Only days ago, pollsters and pundits were predicting a tight-run contest, Syriza neck-and-neck with its conservative rivals, New Democracy. Instead, Syriza can comfortably form a coalition government with its previous partner, the nationalist Independent Greeks. |
Critics wondered whether it was worth holding a contest which left Greece with the same government as before. But Syriza's leader, Alexis Tsipras, is now in a stronger position, his decision to accept austerity measures in return for bailout cash apparently vindicated by the result. | Critics wondered whether it was worth holding a contest which left Greece with the same government as before. But Syriza's leader, Alexis Tsipras, is now in a stronger position, his decision to accept austerity measures in return for bailout cash apparently vindicated by the result. |
Yet celebrations have been muted - hundreds not thousands gathering to sing, dance and wave flags. This country has more tough times ahead: tax rises, perhaps further cuts to wages and benefits. The re-elected prime minister has an in-box that no-one could envy. | Yet celebrations have been muted - hundreds not thousands gathering to sing, dance and wave flags. This country has more tough times ahead: tax rises, perhaps further cuts to wages and benefits. The re-elected prime minister has an in-box that no-one could envy. |
Tsipras, the man who risked Greek future in euro | Tsipras, the man who risked Greek future in euro |
'Difficulties ahead' | 'Difficulties ahead' |
"I feel vindicated because the Greek people have a clear mandate to carry on fighting inside and outside our country to uphold the pride of our people," Mr Tsipras told supporters in Athens. | "I feel vindicated because the Greek people have a clear mandate to carry on fighting inside and outside our country to uphold the pride of our people," Mr Tsipras told supporters in Athens. |
"In Europe today, Greece and the Greek people are synonymous with resistance and dignity, and this struggle will be continued together for another four years. | "In Europe today, Greece and the Greek people are synonymous with resistance and dignity, and this struggle will be continued together for another four years. |
Mr Tsipras was joined on stage by Panos Kammenos, leader of the the nationalist Independent Greeks, who also entered a coalition with Syriza after January's election. | Mr Tsipras was joined on stage by Panos Kammenos, leader of the the nationalist Independent Greeks, who also entered a coalition with Syriza after January's election. |
"Together we will continue the struggle we began seven months ago," Mr Tsipras said. | "Together we will continue the struggle we began seven months ago," Mr Tsipras said. |
Greece remains recession and the new government has to satisfy international creditors that it is fulfilling the terms of the latest bailout package worth up to €86bn ($97bn, £61bn). | |
Creditors are due to review the progress of the programme in October. Some Syriza MP's remain opposed to its terms. | Creditors are due to review the progress of the programme in October. Some Syriza MP's remain opposed to its terms. |
Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who heads the Eurogroup meetings of eurozone finance ministers, said he was "ready to work closely" with the new Greek government. | Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who heads the Eurogroup meetings of eurozone finance ministers, said he was "ready to work closely" with the new Greek government. |
The Greek electoral system means the party with the largest number of votes wins a bonus of 50 seats - and Syriza is predicted to have 145 seats in the 300-seat parliament, only four fewer than in Mr Tsipras's January victory. | |
The Independent Greeks, which is anti-austerity but agrees with Syriza on little else, won 10 seats. New Democracy won 75. | |
Greece's turbulent year | Greece's turbulent year |
29 Dec: Greek parliament fails to elect president, leading to snap elections a month later | 29 Dec: Greek parliament fails to elect president, leading to snap elections a month later |
25 Jan: Leftist Syriza party's Alexis Tsipras elected PM on an anti-austerity manifesto | 25 Jan: Leftist Syriza party's Alexis Tsipras elected PM on an anti-austerity manifesto |
24 Feb: Greece's European lenders agree to extend its second bailout by four months | 24 Feb: Greece's European lenders agree to extend its second bailout by four months |
Jun: Marathon talks take place to avoid Greek bankruptcy and possibly leaving the eurozone. PM Tsipras calls a referendum on a possible bailout agreement | |
5 Jul: Greek voters overwhelmingly reject terms of third EU bailout in referendum vote | 5 Jul: Greek voters overwhelmingly reject terms of third EU bailout in referendum vote |
14 Aug: Greece agrees bailout deal worth up to €86bn with its creditors - its third in five years - allowing tax hikes and new spending cuts. Mr Tsipras resigns a week later clearing the way for snap elections in September, as he seeks a new mandate | 14 Aug: Greece agrees bailout deal worth up to €86bn with its creditors - its third in five years - allowing tax hikes and new spending cuts. Mr Tsipras resigns a week later clearing the way for snap elections in September, as he seeks a new mandate |
20 Sept: New Democracy concedes election victory to Syriza | |
Mr Tsipras's popularity had to appeared to suffer after signing the bailout deal. | |
A referendum called by him saw 60% of voters reject the austerity measures demanded by creditors. | |
Are you in Greece? What are your views on this election? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in Greece? What are your views on this election? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |