News   /   EU

Austerity-weary Greece prepares for crucial general election

Leader of Greece's left-wing Syriza party, Alexis Tsipras (AFP photo)

Greece is heading toward a decisive general election which could bring the anti-austerity Syriza party to power amid financial crisis in the European Union country.

On Saturday, campaigning ended for the upcoming election under Greek law, with Alexis Tsipras' left-wing party leading opinion polls. 

Based on opinion polls published on the last day of campaigning, the Syriza party is leading the conservative New Democracy party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

About 10 percent of voters also said they were still undecided.

The leftist party’s popularity rocketed by 25 percent in the last seven years of the spiraling financial collapse.

Tsipras promised, in his final appeal to voters, that he would restore "dignity" to Greece.

He seeks to put an end to the country’s years of austerity measures linked to an international bailout.

Samaras, however, said it would be crazy to elect Syriza as it “will turn all of Europe against Greece.... They don't understand Europe, they don't believe in Europe.”

Greece nearly went bankrupt in 2010. It survived, however, on international rescue packages. Athens has received 240 billion euros (USD 330 billion) in international loans in return for the enforcement of austerity measures.

AR/HMV/SS


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku