Yiannis Mouzakis via Macropolis | As Greece heads into snap national polls on July 7, it is beyond doubt that there has been a substantial shift in Greek voters’ views and preferences, which translated into a strong rejection of Syriza across society.
Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | In its first period in government, between January and September 2015, SYRIZA did not experience any general strikes. Since the September elections there have been three, making the number of such protests one of the few things in Greece that is heading upwards. The other rising indicator is the number of pressing problems Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras faces.
Nick Malkoutzis via Macropolis | Looking back on it, there was strong evidence to believe one year ago that SYRIZA was doomed from the start. Forget its inexperience, cast off its ideological straitjacket and ignore the factors that had stacked up against the new government (diminishing liquidity, weak banks, fragile economy and sceptical lenders): these were all signposts pointing towards Alexis Tsipras crashing into the wall, but it was the campaign slogan for the January 25 elections that really gave it away.
ATHENS | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | Working out how Alexis Tsipras went from anti-austerity crusader to comfortably winning an election while promising to implement the third bailout, and in the process turning a resounding “No” in the July referendum to a humiliating “Yes” a week later, is something that political scientists will study for years to come.
ATHENS | By Nick Malkoutzis via Macropolis | Greek mainstream parties and media will not have Greeks’ trust for next elections.
ATHENS | June 29, 2015 | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis| Too often SYRIZA approached its dialogue with creditors as it would a street protest. And while the institutions spoke of flexibility, they only showed a limited amount of it in their approach.
BRUSSELS | June 23, 2015 | By Alexandre Mato | Tax hikes and pension system cuts were the main measures offered by Athens to European Institutions and the IMF in order to reach an agreement over the second rescue programme. The €8 billion in savings and new revenues over the next two years were described as important or broad steps. But the proposals are bittersweet.
ATHENS | June 4, 2015 | By Nick Malkoutzis via MacroPolis | As Greece’s lenders prepare to present Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with their final proposal, there is one question that everyone wants the answer to: Will Syriza MPs support the deal?
March 20, 2015 | By Wolfango Piccoli via MacroPolis | The Greek government faces a dire financial situation in the coming weeks, especially as lenders are unlikely to relent on the conditions of last month’s loan extension.