Abandoned by the left wing of Syriza, the Greek Prime Minister announced his resignation on August 20, paving the way for early elections in late September. Direction Center! “Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Thursday in a televised speech that he was resigning immediately, paving the way for early elections that could be held on September 20th,” wrote the Greek daily I Kathimerini.
The slingers of Syriza – had said earlier in the day, through the voice of its leader Panagiotis Lafazanis, that “the government’s problems are due to the reversal of its policy,” adding that “the elections anticipated were the reflection of an anti-democratic attitude, “says the newspaper To Vima.
The decision was more or less expected, even if the press rather evoked a few days ago the filing of a motion of confidence. On the night of 13 to 14 August, in fact, the slingers Syriza had refused to approve the European aid plan for Greece, synonymous with drastic austerity measures: thirty voted against and 11 abstained. It is precisely against such austerity plan imposed on the country that Alexis Tsipras was elected in January. Asked to vote on the latest plan by referendum, the Greeks had voted no to 61.3% of the vote on July 5.
“Alexis Tsipras gave the kickoff of a new political drama in Greece”, believes The Guardian, announcing his resignation only seven months after taking office. After a general election, a referendum, the Greeks will have to return to the polls. For the British newspaper, the Greek Prime Minister if his new bet succeeds, it will be re-elected with a clear mandate on reforms. “Tsipras is reinventing itself as moderate. He must get rid of the left wing of his party, which refuses the deal creditors of Greece. “
The first published polls show that the popularity of radical left party Syriza has largely eroded. But he keeps a short lead in voting intentions for the next parliamentary elections.
The first polls published since the resignation of former Greek Prime Minister give his head in training for the September 20 legislative elections, but show that the game will be tight.
A survey conducted by the University of Macedonia and indicates Syriza recorded “a dramatic drop” of nearly ten points in the polls, reports the English site daily I Kathiremini. The radical left party would garner 25% of the vote, against 22% in the right New Democracy party, sharply higher since June. Popular Unity, the new party formed by the “rebellious” Syriza, would obtain 5% of votes.
“The Syriza Popularity decline is also reflected in the rating of Alexis Tsipras, a sharp fall,” writes the daily. The former prime minister, who announced his resignation on August 20, collected 70% of favorable opinions in March; it is just 30% today. Two thirds of Greeks believe that its decision to hold a referendum on the conditions of the assistance plan in July had negative consequences for the country.
