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| Alexis Tsipras sworn in as new Greek prime minister – as it happened | Alexis Tsipras sworn in as new Greek prime minister – as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 6.22pm GMT | 6.22pm GMT |
| 18:22 | 18:22 |
| Closing summary | Closing summary |
| We are closing this liveblog on the immediate aftermath of the Greek election. Thank you for all the comments. | We are closing this liveblog on the immediate aftermath of the Greek election. Thank you for all the comments. |
| 6.19pm GMT | 6.19pm GMT |
| 18:19 | 18:19 |
| Emily Tripp has this profile of Peristera Batziana, the media-shy partner and childhood sweetheart of Alexis Tsipras. | Emily Tripp has this profile of Peristera Batziana, the media-shy partner and childhood sweetheart of Alexis Tsipras. |
| ‘Betty’, as she is known, will be the country’s first unmarried first lady: marriage, perhaps unsurprisingly, was never on the cards. | ‘Betty’, as she is known, will be the country’s first unmarried first lady: marriage, perhaps unsurprisingly, was never on the cards. |
| The two have kept their thirty-year relationship largely out of the public eye. Unlike the first ladies that have come before her, Batziana has so far stayed away from the glamour that will come with the Maximos Mansion, the official seat of the Greek prime minister. The flat that she shares with her partner and their two young sons is in the heart of working class district Kypseli, in Athens. | The two have kept their thirty-year relationship largely out of the public eye. Unlike the first ladies that have come before her, Batziana has so far stayed away from the glamour that will come with the Maximos Mansion, the official seat of the Greek prime minister. The flat that she shares with her partner and their two young sons is in the heart of working class district Kypseli, in Athens. |
| Fittingly, perhaps, their youngest’s middle name is ‘Ernesto’. Growing up in Thessaly, in central Greece, Batziana has been on the left since secondary school, where she met Tspiras in 1987. Like him, she took part in the student protests in Athens during the late 1980s that reflected widespread disillusionment with mainstream politicians and the educational reforms. | Fittingly, perhaps, their youngest’s middle name is ‘Ernesto’. Growing up in Thessaly, in central Greece, Batziana has been on the left since secondary school, where she met Tspiras in 1987. Like him, she took part in the student protests in Athens during the late 1980s that reflected widespread disillusionment with mainstream politicians and the educational reforms. |
| She studied electrical engineering at the University of Patras, where she demonstrated the same strength of will in her studies as she did in her student activism, becoming involved in a court battle with one of her professors to defend her PhD. Batziana joined the Communist youth party before Tsipras; indeed, she reportedly encouraged him to join. | She studied electrical engineering at the University of Patras, where she demonstrated the same strength of will in her studies as she did in her student activism, becoming involved in a court battle with one of her professors to defend her PhD. Batziana joined the Communist youth party before Tsipras; indeed, she reportedly encouraged him to join. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.20pm GMT | at 6.20pm GMT |
| 5.39pm GMT | 5.39pm GMT |
| 17:39 | 17:39 |
| Is Zeus unhappy? | Is Zeus unhappy? |
| 5.08pm GMT | 5.08pm GMT |
| 17:08 | 17:08 |
| Associated Press has useful facts on Greece’s stricken economy. | Associated Press has useful facts on Greece’s stricken economy. |
| Public debt: €316bn, or 176% of gross domestic product - highest within eurozone (as of end of Q3 2014) Public deficit: 0.8% of annual GDP (as of end of Q3 2014) Unemployment: 25.8% (Oct 2014)GDP (2013): €182bn Bailout loans: €240bn | Public debt: €316bn, or 176% of gross domestic product - highest within eurozone (as of end of Q3 2014) Public deficit: 0.8% of annual GDP (as of end of Q3 2014) Unemployment: 25.8% (Oct 2014)GDP (2013): €182bn Bailout loans: €240bn |
| 5.05pm GMT | 5.05pm GMT |
| 17:05 | 17:05 |
| European markets close higher after Syriza election victory | European markets close higher after Syriza election victory |
| Talk of an immediate market meltdown after anti-austerity party Syriza won the Greek election proved wide of the mark, writes Nick Fletcher. The rally which followed last week’s quantitative easing announcement from the European Central Bank refused to be derailed by the vote, despite Syriza saying it wanted Greece’s debts to be restructured. Despite the uncertainty, investors seemed willing to take advantage of any market dips to step in and buy, believing it is unlikely Greece will actually exit the eurozone. The exception, unsurprisingly, was the Greek market, which ended lower after a volatile day. The final scores showed: | Talk of an immediate market meltdown after anti-austerity party Syriza won the Greek election proved wide of the mark, writes Nick Fletcher. The rally which followed last week’s quantitative easing announcement from the European Central Bank refused to be derailed by the vote, despite Syriza saying it wanted Greece’s debts to be restructured. Despite the uncertainty, investors seemed willing to take advantage of any market dips to step in and buy, believing it is unlikely Greece will actually exit the eurozone. The exception, unsurprisingly, was the Greek market, which ended lower after a volatile day. The final scores showed: |
| The euro is currently marginally higher at $1.1282 after earlier falling to a new 11 year low in Asian trading immediately after the election results were known, helped the confidence generated by the ECB’s money printing programme. | The euro is currently marginally higher at $1.1282 after earlier falling to a new 11 year low in Asian trading immediately after the election results were known, helped the confidence generated by the ECB’s money printing programme. |
| On Wall Street the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 17 points or 0.10%. | On Wall Street the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 17 points or 0.10%. |
| Meanwhile Greek bond yields have risen 50 basis points to 9.35%. | Meanwhile Greek bond yields have risen 50 basis points to 9.35%. |
| 4.40pm GMT | 4.40pm GMT |
| 16:40 | 16:40 |
| The White House has sent its congratulations to Greece. | The White House has sent its congratulations to Greece. |
| The U.S. congratulates #Greece on successfully completing its parliamentary elections. http://t.co/zJ1rzFgFrU via @WhiteHouse | The U.S. congratulates #Greece on successfully completing its parliamentary elections. http://t.co/zJ1rzFgFrU via @WhiteHouse |
| We congratulate Greece on successfully completing its parliamentary elections, and we look forward to working closely with its next government. The Greek people have taken many difficult but important steps to lay the groundwork for economic recovery. As a longstanding friend and ally, the United States will continue to support their efforts and those of the international community to strengthen the foundation for Greece’s long-term prosperity. | We congratulate Greece on successfully completing its parliamentary elections, and we look forward to working closely with its next government. The Greek people have taken many difficult but important steps to lay the groundwork for economic recovery. As a longstanding friend and ally, the United States will continue to support their efforts and those of the international community to strengthen the foundation for Greece’s long-term prosperity. |
| 4.28pm GMT | 4.28pm GMT |
| 16:28 | 16:28 |
| Charles Robertson at Renaissance Capital investment bank does not think that Syriza is a Lula-type movement that will move to the centre ground and predicts uncertain times ahead. He writes: | Charles Robertson at Renaissance Capital investment bank does not think that Syriza is a Lula-type movement that will move to the centre ground and predicts uncertain times ahead. He writes: |
| The Greeks had the chance to vote for the leftwing party that does a deal with the EU – it is called Pasok and used to govern Greece and win over 35% of the vote and yesterday it won just 5% of the vote. In total the moderate left got about 13% of the vote. The Greeks, whether in anger or real enthusiasm, have voted for a hard left-movement that is fundamentally opposed to the current profile of the German-led eurozone. We take that seriously. It suggests we’re in for months or years of uncertainty. | The Greeks had the chance to vote for the leftwing party that does a deal with the EU – it is called Pasok and used to govern Greece and win over 35% of the vote and yesterday it won just 5% of the vote. In total the moderate left got about 13% of the vote. The Greeks, whether in anger or real enthusiasm, have voted for a hard left-movement that is fundamentally opposed to the current profile of the German-led eurozone. We take that seriously. It suggests we’re in for months or years of uncertainty. |
| 4.20pm GMT | 4.20pm GMT |
| 16:20 | 16:20 |
| This is Mark Tran stepping in for Graeme Wearden. Jon Henley has been getting more reaction in Athens. It ranges from “it will be OK” to “hopeless”. | This is Mark Tran stepping in for Graeme Wearden. Jon Henley has been getting more reaction in Athens. It ranges from “it will be OK” to “hopeless”. |
| “What is there to be worried about, really?” asked Thanassis Katsoulis, a former factory owner who sold up a few years ago and now divides his time between the even wealthier Athens suburb of Kifissia and his holiday place on Poros. | “What is there to be worried about, really?” asked Thanassis Katsoulis, a former factory owner who sold up a few years ago and now divides his time between the even wealthier Athens suburb of Kifissia and his holiday place on Poros. |
| “Tsipras won’t drag Greece out of the euro, because the majority of Greeks are very clear they don’t want that. And I can’t see him really coming after the oligarchs and the very rich like he says he will, because there simply aren’t the mechanisms for that in Greece. I think things will be okay.” | “Tsipras won’t drag Greece out of the euro, because the majority of Greeks are very clear they don’t want that. And I can’t see him really coming after the oligarchs and the very rich like he says he will, because there simply aren’t the mechanisms for that in Greece. I think things will be okay.” |
| Vassiliki Karamerou, a shop assistant in a fashion boutique, said she was struck by “how relaxed everyone is around here today. Before the elections, a lot of people round here were really terrified, you know? But today I’m hearing a lot of good things. Perhaps it’s good, finally, to try something different.” | Vassiliki Karamerou, a shop assistant in a fashion boutique, said she was struck by “how relaxed everyone is around here today. Before the elections, a lot of people round here were really terrified, you know? But today I’m hearing a lot of good things. Perhaps it’s good, finally, to try something different.” |
| Only Mariana Iannou, who owns “a small company selling leather accessories”, said she was disappointed with the outcome. “It’s worse than bad, it’s crazy,” she said. “Why? Because people voted for Tsipras, but they can’t really expect him to do what he says he will because he can’t.” | Only Mariana Iannou, who owns “a small company selling leather accessories”, said she was disappointed with the outcome. “It’s worse than bad, it’s crazy,” she said. “Why? Because people voted for Tsipras, but they can’t really expect him to do what he says he will because he can’t.” |
| Syriza voters “probably expect Tsipras to get them more money”, she said. “But the only place he can get that is from Europe, which he’s not going to do – or at least he says he won’t. | Syriza voters “probably expect Tsipras to get them more money”, she said. “But the only place he can get that is from Europe, which he’s not going to do – or at least he says he won’t. |
| “Plus, if he does try to take more money away from the rich then everyone will be the same – and then who will invest in this country? No one, that’s who. The man is a fraud and his voters are deluded. That’s my opinion. It’s hopeless.” | “Plus, if he does try to take more money away from the rich then everyone will be the same – and then who will invest in this country? No one, that’s who. The man is a fraud and his voters are deluded. That’s my opinion. It’s hopeless.” |
| 4.14pm GMT | 4.14pm GMT |
| 16:14 | 16:14 |
| Tsipras sworn in after dramatic win | Tsipras sworn in after dramatic win |
| Time for another catch-up. | Time for another catch-up. |
| Alexis Tsipras has been sworn in as Greece’s next prime minister. The leader of Syriza took a civil oath, in a brief ceremony at the presidential palace. | Alexis Tsipras has been sworn in as Greece’s next prime minister. The leader of Syriza took a civil oath, in a brief ceremony at the presidential palace. |
| Tsipras promised to uphold the constitution and protect the interests of the Greek people. | Tsipras promised to uphold the constitution and protect the interests of the Greek people. |
| He then immediately headed to the National Resistance Memorial at Kaisariani, where 200 resistance fighters were shot in the second world war. | He then immediately headed to the National Resistance Memorial at Kaisariani, where 200 resistance fighters were shot in the second world war. |
| But in Brussels, some eurozone officials are disappointed and concerned that Tsipras has chosen the populist Independent Greeks as his coalition partners. | But in Brussels, some eurozone officials are disappointed and concerned that Tsipras has chosen the populist Independent Greeks as his coalition partners. |
| The Jubilee Debt Campaign has called for Greece to be given debt relief, just as Germany was in 1953. | The Jubilee Debt Campaign has called for Greece to be given debt relief, just as Germany was in 1953. |
| And rating agency S&P has warned that it could rush out its next review of Greece’s credit rating, if the country’s financial state worsens. | And rating agency S&P has warned that it could rush out its next review of Greece’s credit rating, if the country’s financial state worsens. |
| Our earlier summary is here. | Our earlier summary is here. |
| And I’m handing over to my colleague Mark Tran. Thanks for reading, and for all the comments.... GW | And I’m handing over to my colleague Mark Tran. Thanks for reading, and for all the comments.... GW |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.25pm GMT | at 4.25pm GMT |
| 3.56pm GMT | 3.56pm GMT |
| 15:56 | 15:56 |
| Ties really have fallen out of fashion in Greece: | Ties really have fallen out of fashion in Greece: |
| 3.45pm GMT | 3.45pm GMT |
| 15:45 | 15:45 |
| On Syntagma Square, scene of pitched and sometimes fatal battles between riot police and up to 500,000 demonstrators during the anti-austerity protests of 2011 and 2012, all is calm, reports Jon Henley. | On Syntagma Square, scene of pitched and sometimes fatal battles between riot police and up to 500,000 demonstrators during the anti-austerity protests of 2011 and 2012, all is calm, reports Jon Henley. |
| “This is a necessary change for the country,” declared Panos Grigoriou, a law professor. | “This is a necessary change for the country,” declared Panos Grigoriou, a law professor. |
| “There is still some uncertainty for the future, but look around you – you almost feel the hope coming back.” | “There is still some uncertainty for the future, but look around you – you almost feel the hope coming back.” |
| Although he saw “sizeable differences” between Syriza and the Independent Greeks on many issues, Grigoriou felt Syriza’s position might even be strengthened by the coalition when it came to negotiating with the European Union, “because it will show the breadth of feeling in Greece”. | Although he saw “sizeable differences” between Syriza and the Independent Greeks on many issues, Grigoriou felt Syriza’s position might even be strengthened by the coalition when it came to negotiating with the European Union, “because it will show the breadth of feeling in Greece”. |
| Maria Papadopoulos, who runs a small shop selling agricultural supplies, said she was “just so much more optimistic now”. The coalition “may not be ideal”, she said, but she would accept it: | Maria Papadopoulos, who runs a small shop selling agricultural supplies, said she was “just so much more optimistic now”. The coalition “may not be ideal”, she said, but she would accept it: |
| “We were just so tired, after all these years. Our life has .. so little quality. None, almost. Look I have no heating in my home. So you know, if it is for the best I can accept it. I trust Tsipras.” | “We were just so tired, after all these years. Our life has .. so little quality. None, almost. Look I have no heating in my home. So you know, if it is for the best I can accept it. I trust Tsipras.” |
| Joseph ben Bassat, another academic on his way back to the university, said that while it was a shame Syriza leader Alexi Tsipras had to seek a coalition partner, it wasn’t a major problem: | Joseph ben Bassat, another academic on his way back to the university, said that while it was a shame Syriza leader Alexi Tsipras had to seek a coalition partner, it wasn’t a major problem: |
| “It’s really not a big issue – the balance of power will be so one-sided. They may get a minor ministry. But all the major portfolios, all the big decisions, will be in Syriza’s hands.” | “It’s really not a big issue – the balance of power will be so one-sided. They may get a minor ministry. But all the major portfolios, all the big decisions, will be in Syriza’s hands.” |
| JH | JH |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.48pm GMT | at 3.48pm GMT |
| 3.40pm GMT | 3.40pm GMT |
| 15:40 | 15:40 |
| Here’s the moment that Greek radical leftist party SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras signed the official protocols after being sworn in (using a secular oath) by president Karolos Papoulias. | Here’s the moment that Greek radical leftist party SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras signed the official protocols after being sworn in (using a secular oath) by president Karolos Papoulias. |
| Followed by a handshake: | Followed by a handshake: |
| 3.36pm GMT | 3.36pm GMT |
| 15:36 | 15:36 |
| Julian Borger: Brussels fears tough line from Tsipras | Julian Borger: Brussels fears tough line from Tsipras |
| Alexis Tsipras’s choice of coalition partners came as a unpleasant surprise to the Eurozone’s finance ministers gathering under wet, leaden skies in Brussels today, writes diplomatic editor Julian Borger. | Alexis Tsipras’s choice of coalition partners came as a unpleasant surprise to the Eurozone’s finance ministers gathering under wet, leaden skies in Brussels today, writes diplomatic editor Julian Borger. |
| The official line from all of them going into their Eurogroup meeting was identical: Greece has spoken, we will deal with this government just as we have with its predecessors, we want the best for the Greeks but the country has to keep its existing agreements and pay its debts. | The official line from all of them going into their Eurogroup meeting was identical: Greece has spoken, we will deal with this government just as we have with its predecessors, we want the best for the Greeks but the country has to keep its existing agreements and pay its debts. |
| Underneath the bromides, there is realisation this morning that Greece’s new leader will drive a very hard bargain in the coming negotiations over the national debt. The only thing left-wing Syriza and the right-wing Independent Greeks (Anel) have in common is economic populism. Tsipras has deliberately created conditions in which substantial compromises with Greece’s creditors - the hated troika of the IMF, European Central Bank (ECB) - and EU would sink his government. | Underneath the bromides, there is realisation this morning that Greece’s new leader will drive a very hard bargain in the coming negotiations over the national debt. The only thing left-wing Syriza and the right-wing Independent Greeks (Anel) have in common is economic populism. Tsipras has deliberately created conditions in which substantial compromises with Greece’s creditors - the hated troika of the IMF, European Central Bank (ECB) - and EU would sink his government. |
| “He has strapped himself to the mast with this coalition,” a European diplomat said. | “He has strapped himself to the mast with this coalition,” a European diplomat said. |
| Mujtaba Rahman, an analyst at the Eurasia Group political risk consultants, said that with his partnership with Anel rather than the moderate party Potami (The River), Tsipras is “signalling he is prioritising internal over external constraints. He has formed a coalition he can sell to the hard left in Syriza even if it makes tougher to negotiate a new deal on Greek debt.” | Mujtaba Rahman, an analyst at the Eurasia Group political risk consultants, said that with his partnership with Anel rather than the moderate party Potami (The River), Tsipras is “signalling he is prioritising internal over external constraints. He has formed a coalition he can sell to the hard left in Syriza even if it makes tougher to negotiate a new deal on Greek debt.” |
| On the other side, Rahman argues, the room for manoeuvre for the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has also narrowed as a result of last week’s quantitative easing decision by Mario Draghi, the head of the European Central Bank, pumping more than €1 trillion into financial markets. That decision was taken in spite of opposition from Merkel and German institutions, who saw it as a financial bail-out to free-spending governments in the Eurozone. | On the other side, Rahman argues, the room for manoeuvre for the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has also narrowed as a result of last week’s quantitative easing decision by Mario Draghi, the head of the European Central Bank, pumping more than €1 trillion into financial markets. That decision was taken in spite of opposition from Merkel and German institutions, who saw it as a financial bail-out to free-spending governments in the Eurozone. |
| Rahman said: | Rahman said: |
| “Quantitative Easing is a big problem for Merkel, as it has mobilised constituencies which opposed it in a vocal way.” | “Quantitative Easing is a big problem for Merkel, as it has mobilised constituencies which opposed it in a vocal way.” |
| As a result, the room for negotiation has narrowed from both sides. “The probability of Greek exit from the Eurozone has to increase,” he concluded, but he still believes it is more likely that an eleventh-hour compromise can be found in the remaining months before Greece has to be repay a nearly €7 billion loan to the European Central Bank in June. That is the really hard deadline that the negotiators are facing. | As a result, the room for negotiation has narrowed from both sides. “The probability of Greek exit from the Eurozone has to increase,” he concluded, but he still believes it is more likely that an eleventh-hour compromise can be found in the remaining months before Greece has to be repay a nearly €7 billion loan to the European Central Bank in June. That is the really hard deadline that the negotiators are facing. |
| The coalition deal is “firing up a lot of red lights” in Europe, said Simon Tilford, the deputy director for the Centre for European Reform. “It could be taken as a cause of concern that the new government is going to take a very tough line.” | The coalition deal is “firing up a lot of red lights” in Europe, said Simon Tilford, the deputy director for the Centre for European Reform. “It could be taken as a cause of concern that the new government is going to take a very tough line.” |
| “In private, there are acknowledgements from some Europeans that they are going to have to move to towards the centre..and acknowledge that the European side has been part of the problem.” | “In private, there are acknowledgements from some Europeans that they are going to have to move to towards the centre..and acknowledge that the European side has been part of the problem.” |
| “A robust negotiating position from Athens could be a good thing,” Tilford added. “The non-confrontational approach had allowed the Eurozone countries to roll back on some of their earlier promises about debt relief.” | “A robust negotiating position from Athens could be a good thing,” Tilford added. “The non-confrontational approach had allowed the Eurozone countries to roll back on some of their earlier promises about debt relief.” |
| The stage is set for some tough wrestling on the edge of cliff, one that represents the prospect of a Greek debt default and consequent exit from the Eurozone - something that none of the protagonists, not even Anel, really want. JB | The stage is set for some tough wrestling on the edge of cliff, one that represents the prospect of a Greek debt default and consequent exit from the Eurozone - something that none of the protagonists, not even Anel, really want. JB |
| 3.14pm GMT | 3.14pm GMT |
| 15:14 | 15:14 |
| This must be a record for a rating agency. S&P has just suggested it could downgrade Greece, within an hour of the new prime minister being sworn in. | This must be a record for a rating agency. S&P has just suggested it could downgrade Greece, within an hour of the new prime minister being sworn in. |
| S&P said in a statement that it might bring forward its next review, scheduled for March 13, if it believes Greece’s credit worthiness has been hurt by the political upheaval. | S&P said in a statement that it might bring forward its next review, scheduled for March 13, if it believes Greece’s credit worthiness has been hurt by the political upheaval. |
| Frank Gill, the rating agency’s Senior Director of European Sovereign Ratings, said the uncertainty of a showdown over its debts with the rest of the euro zone risked snuffing out its recovery. | Frank Gill, the rating agency’s Senior Director of European Sovereign Ratings, said the uncertainty of a showdown over its debts with the rest of the euro zone risked snuffing out its recovery. |
| Gill also warned that Greece’s financial performance appears to be deteriorating..... More here. | Gill also warned that Greece’s financial performance appears to be deteriorating..... More here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.14pm GMT | at 3.14pm GMT |
| 3.06pm GMT | 3.06pm GMT |
| 15:06 | 15:06 |
| The Jubilee Debt Campaign also has history in mind, calling for Greece to be given German-style debt relief. | The Jubilee Debt Campaign also has history in mind, calling for Greece to be given German-style debt relief. |
| Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign says: | Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign says: |
| “The Greek bail-out was in reality a bail-out of reckless European banks, for which the Greek people have been paying the price. Greece should have received debt relief in 2010, and debt cancellation is now urgently needed to tackle the huge increase in poverty seen during this crisis, and bring hope back to Europe. | “The Greek bail-out was in reality a bail-out of reckless European banks, for which the Greek people have been paying the price. Greece should have received debt relief in 2010, and debt cancellation is now urgently needed to tackle the huge increase in poverty seen during this crisis, and bring hope back to Europe. |
| Debt crises across the world show that constant debt rescheduling does not work. When debts are too large and causing pain they need to be cut, as happened for Germany in 1953.” | Debt crises across the world show that constant debt rescheduling does not work. When debts are too large and causing pain they need to be cut, as happened for Germany in 1953.” |
| That deal, hammered out in London, paved the way for the country’s “economic miracle” (or wirtschaftswunder). Creditors agreed to cut West Germany’s debts (corrected) in half, and delayed repayments until it was running a trade surplus. | That deal, hammered out in London, paved the way for the country’s “economic miracle” (or wirtschaftswunder). Creditors agreed to cut West Germany’s debts (corrected) in half, and delayed repayments until it was running a trade surplus. |
| That means West Germany didn’t spend its valuable foreign currency reserves, or have to borrow even more money to meet debt repayments. | That means West Germany didn’t spend its valuable foreign currency reserves, or have to borrow even more money to meet debt repayments. |
| The Observer covered the whole story this month: | The Observer covered the whole story this month: |
| A new idea steals across Europe – should Greece’s debt be forgiven? | A new idea steals across Europe – should Greece’s debt be forgiven? |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.14pm GMT | at 3.14pm GMT |
| 2.55pm GMT | 2.55pm GMT |
| 14:55 | 14:55 |
| The final few votes cast yesterday have been counted, confirming that Syriza fell two seats short of an overall majority: | The final few votes cast yesterday have been counted, confirming that Syriza fell two seats short of an overall majority: |
| 100% of the vote has been counted (1/3): SYRIZA 36.34% (149 seats), New Democracy 27.81% (76 seats) #greece #ekloges2015 | 100% of the vote has been counted (1/3): SYRIZA 36.34% (149 seats), New Democracy 27.81% (76 seats) #greece #ekloges2015 |
| 100% of the vote has been counted (2/3): Golden Dawn 6.28% (17 seats), To Potami 6.05% (17 seats), KKE 5.47% (15 seats) #greece #ekloges2015 | 100% of the vote has been counted (2/3): Golden Dawn 6.28% (17 seats), To Potami 6.05% (17 seats), KKE 5.47% (15 seats) #greece #ekloges2015 |
| 100% of the vote has been counted (3/3): Independent Greeks 4.75% (13 seats), PASOK 4.68% (13 seats) #greece #ekloges2015 | 100% of the vote has been counted (3/3): Independent Greeks 4.75% (13 seats), PASOK 4.68% (13 seats) #greece #ekloges2015 |
| 2.48pm GMT | 2.48pm GMT |
| 14:48 | 14:48 |
| Alexis Tsipras has just entered the Megaros Maximou, home of Greek prime ministers. | Alexis Tsipras has just entered the Megaros Maximou, home of Greek prime ministers. |
| The outgoing PM, Antonis Samaras, in a departure with tradition, has not handed over the office to Tsipras personally, Helena Smith reports. | The outgoing PM, Antonis Samaras, in a departure with tradition, has not handed over the office to Tsipras personally, Helena Smith reports. |
| The two men have been fierce rivals, arguing over austerity for the past year. | The two men have been fierce rivals, arguing over austerity for the past year. |
| Earlier, Tsipras told president Karolos Papoulias that there was no time to waste. “We must expedite procedures as we face an uphill struggle,” he told the head of state, moments after being given a mandate to form a government. | Earlier, Tsipras told president Karolos Papoulias that there was no time to waste. “We must expedite procedures as we face an uphill struggle,” he told the head of state, moments after being given a mandate to form a government. |
| 2.41pm GMT | 2.41pm GMT |
| 14:41 | 14:41 |
| More details of Tsipras’s visit to the Kaisariani rifle range: | More details of Tsipras’s visit to the Kaisariani rifle range: |
| First act as PM, #Tsipras visits Kaisariani rifle range where Nazis executed 200 Greeks on 1 May 1944 v/@dgatopoulos pic.twitter.com/a4CeNgsw66 | First act as PM, #Tsipras visits Kaisariani rifle range where Nazis executed 200 Greeks on 1 May 1944 v/@dgatopoulos pic.twitter.com/a4CeNgsw66 |
| Among those executed in 1944 at Kaisariani firing range, where #Tsipras laid flowers today, was brother of Syriza MEP Manolis Glezos | Among those executed in 1944 at Kaisariani firing range, where #Tsipras laid flowers today, was brother of Syriza MEP Manolis Glezos |
| 2.38pm GMT | 2.38pm GMT |
| 14:38 | 14:38 |
| Tsipras honours Greek war dead | Tsipras honours Greek war dead |
| Alexis Tsipras’s first act as Greece’s new prime minister has been to lay flowers at the National Resistance Memorial at Kaisariani. | Alexis Tsipras’s first act as Greece’s new prime minister has been to lay flowers at the National Resistance Memorial at Kaisariani. |
| That memorial commemorates two hundred Greeks who were killed there in the second world war. | That memorial commemorates two hundred Greeks who were killed there in the second world war. |
| Helena Smith explains: | Helena Smith explains: |
| In a highly symbolic act, he laid a wreath at the memorial in Kaisariani, a suburb in Athens where hundreds of communist national resistance fighters were executed by the Nazis on May 1 1944. | In a highly symbolic act, he laid a wreath at the memorial in Kaisariani, a suburb in Athens where hundreds of communist national resistance fighters were executed by the Nazis on May 1 1944. |
| Hundreds of well-wishes, many in tears, were there watching as he approached the site. Greek TV commentators couldn’t help themselves. “It is another up yours to the Germans,” they said. | Hundreds of well-wishes, many in tears, were there watching as he approached the site. Greek TV commentators couldn’t help themselves. “It is another up yours to the Germans,” they said. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.45pm GMT | at 3.45pm GMT |