By Nawab Khan
BRUSSELS, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- The landslide victory of the leftist Syriza party in Greece is a wake-up call for Europe and a sign a new political reality is being born.
Analysts note that for the first time in modern Greek history a far-left party has come to power with the support of right-wing party, which in itself marks a huge change.
The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, in a statement acknowledged that "this is a major change for Greece and has an impact on Europe." Analysts opine that the emergence of young leaders in Europe like Alexis Tsipras in Greece and Italy's social democratic leader Matteor Renzi sends a clear message that unpopular austerity policies to deal with the economic crisis have clearly failed and big changes in European economic policy are expected.
Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras himself boasted that "The verdict of the Greek people ends, beyond any doubt, the vicious circle of austerity in our country." Gianni Pittella, the president of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament, stated: "The political message from the Greek elections is clear: more social justice and an end to the Troika and austerity." However, he doubted whether the decision to form a coalition government with the centre-right Independent Greeks party is the right way forward.
"The great victory of historic proportions of Alexis Tsipras certainly creates a significant opportunity for the left: not only in Greece but throughout Europe," commented Greek daily TA NEA.
Another Greek newspaper, TO VIMA, said "it can't be overlooked that at 40, Tsipras is Europe's youngest prime minister." The desire for renewal will now be the order of the day in Greek political life. There can be no doubt: this is the dawn of a new era," it commented.
Syriza's victory was achieved in a climate of widespread indignation of the Greek people who had lost money and jobs and were fed up with endless austerity programmes , and on the hope that the radical left could deliver on its promises to bring change.
Fears in Europe that a victory of the leftist party could lead to a Greek exit from the Eurozone were quickly dampened by statements from European capitals willing to hold constructive dialogue with the new leadership in Athens, but also urging the new Greek government to adhere to agreements with its international creditors.
The President of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, expressed optimism that Greece will remain in the Eurozone.
He told a press conference after a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers Monday that "all the leading politicians have expressed their ambition that Greece's future is inside the Eurozone." Tsipras is to meet other EU leaders for the first time at a summit in Brussels on February 12, where Greece's place in the Eurozone is expected to dominate the agenda.
Some European commentators think that it will be Tsipras himself who will have to push reforms in his country.
"Out of pure necessity, election winner Alexis Tsipras will be the leader who pushes through unpleasant reforms in Greece," wrote German daily Die Welt.
"It will be up to the gifted populist Tsipras to confront the Greeks, too many of whom still refuse to see reality, with some unpleasant truths. The most important truth is that Greece is broke, and if it can't find any new sponsors, Tsipras will have to give in and go to the troika for help" it said.
For the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter it would be "absolute madness" if Syriza really did implement its election programme of anti-austerity.
"Syriza would certainly restore one thing: an economy in the process of disintegration. Perhaps a coalition partner could restrain such recklessness. However one third of Syriza's members are communists who want to take the alliance even further to the left," opined the liberal Swedish paper. (end) nk.hb