Greek polls frontrunner says win will start leftist change in Europe

The Greek left-wing leader ahead in polls before upcoming elections said Saturday his party’s victory would start “necessary change” in Europe and stressed he would end austerity policies. Alexis Tsipras, head of the Syriza party, said in a speech in Athens ahead of January 25 polls that “necessary change in Europe begins here, in Greece.” He named Spain, where the leftist Podemos party has led in polls ahead of elections later this year, and Ireland as countries that could follow. Tsipras, whose party has led by between three and six points in the polls, said he wants to make Greece a “positive example of progressivism in Europe.”

With vigorous negotiations, we guarantee our country’s truly equitable participation in the eurozone.

Alexis Tsipras, head of the Syriza party

Tsipras has previously pledged to reverse reforms imposed by Greece’s international creditors and renegotiate its bailout deal. The European Union and the International Monetary Fund have overseen two massive international bailouts for Greece after its debt crisis nearly brought down the eurozone. EU leaders have urged Greece not to change course and abandon reforms. However, Germany’s Der Spiegel news weekly reported that Chancellor Angela Merkel is prepared to let Greece leave the eurozone if the new government jettisons austerity.

The German government considers a eurozone exit [by Greece] to be almost inevitable if opposition leader Alexis Tsipras leads the government after the election and abandons budgetary discipline and does not repay the country’s debts.

Der Spiegel reported on its website, citing sources close to the German government

Europe greece election