Can Tsipras earn a second chance? Weary Greeks poised for 4th election

On the eve of another crucial Greece election, former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has a narrow lead in the opinion polls. The Syriza leader is battling to be re-elected after he resigned last month to trigger a new ballot and refresh his mandate. But he faces staunch opposition from Vangelis Meimarakis of the New Democracy party – a conservative rival who has accused Mr Tsipras of breaking promises by abandoning his anti-bailout stance and negotiating an €86bn (£62.6bn) package with EU creditors. Sunday’s poll will be the fourth general election for the country in less than four years.

Not one vote should be lost, we should not be beaten by abstention. An abstention is a victory for New Democracy.

Alexis Tsipras

Both of the main contenders would need to form a coalition government with smaller parties in order to assume power, yet New Democracy and Syriza are both committed to implementing the international bailout. If a new administration is not formed quickly, this could spark concern in the eurozone. The prospect of a Grexit - Athens forced to leave the monetary union - lurks in the background. Many of the bloc’s member states want Mr Tsipras and Mr Meimarakis to work together under a grand coalition - but this is something Syriza has ruled out entirely.

Politics Greece election