The head of the Syriza Party, Alexis Tsipras has been swept into power in Greece following his campaign based on putting an end to austerity measures in a country racked with economic difficulties.
Winning 149 seats and falling two short of winning an outright majority, his party has formed a coalition with Independent Greeks. The leader of Independent Greeks, Panos Kammenos , is also an anti bailout figure with his party winning 13 seats.
Tsipras has promised to renegotiate bailout plans in a country where the economy has witnessed unprecedented recessions since 2008 leaving many Greeks in grinding poverty. The EU, IMF and the European Central Bank which bailed out Greece imposed tough budgetary cuts and austerity measures in exchange for funds.
Tsipras has promised to write off Greece’s debts. It remains to be seen if the tough talking man can indeed turn Greece’s shambolic fortunes around.