News Digest

Now get on with the reforms, Tsipras told after thumping Greek election win

Greek leader Alexis Tsipras was urged to get on with the work of reforming the country’s economy on Monday after being handed a thumping win in the latest election. The left-winger, who was returned by an unexpectedly large margin and with almost enough votes to form a majority government, has no time to bask in the glory as he wrestles with the €86bn bailout deal. "Looking forward to swift formation of new government with strong mandate to continue reform process,“ said Eurogroup president and Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

Today in Europe, Greece and the Greek people are synonymous with resistance and dignity. This struggle will be continued together for a full four years.

Alexis Tsipras

Mr Tsipras was on Monday due to receive a mandate to form a government from president Prokopis Pavlopoulos. But his first task after sorting out his coalition will be to persuade European Union lenders that enough steps have been made to guarantee the next €3bn hand-out. The bailout programme is due for a review next month. The new parliament will have to revise the 2015 budget, with reforms including doubling taxes on farmers by 2017. The European Commission on Monday also urged Syriza to press on with reforms. "There is a lot of work ahead and no time to lose,” spokesman Margaritis Schinas said.

Alexis Tsipras’s gamble has paid off. Given the scale of the turmoil he caused in Greece and the dramatic nature of his policy U-turn… his victory at the snap elections today is remarkable.

Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Germany’s Berenberg bank.