Greek election - January 25th 2015

[Boston Bread]

I think 37-39% would get SYRIZA a majority, depending on how many minor parties meet the 3% threshold. They are closing up on that range in current polling. It's funny that one of the biggest critiques of FPTP in Canada is that a party can get a majority with under 40% of the vote (hence 60+% "voted against them") yet Greece's proportional system can give the same result because of the 50 seat bonus.

[Boston Bread]

Crete has always been the most left-wing area in Greece, so the results aren't really that surprising, but it's still interesting that 5 of the top 6 parties lean to the left (I'm not sure how true that is of Potami, but they're certainly the most left-wing party on social issues).  Even ANTARSYA is doing really well.

Not really surprising. The right has ND. But who's next in line? GD? ANEL? The already-dead LAOS? While the centre-left to far-left have a lot of options.

[Boston Bread]

Wow, I was afraid of underestimating ND but instead this happened!
Truly exciting times for the Greek people. And if the exit polls hold, congrats Tender.

[Boston Bread]

Currently 18% reporting, and as more comes in SYRIZA tends to rise (now at 35.1%). If the trend persists the exit polls will wind up accurate.

[Boston Bread]

Rhodope (Thrace) winning the anti-establishment prize - ND and PASOK together getting only 21.45%. Also SYRIZA's best region (52.73%)

Also qualifies for the largest swing - SYRIZA was third behind PASOK there in 2012.

[Boston Bread]

Obviously Greece didn't get as good of a deal as West Germany in 1953. Half their debt cancelled! And for good reason - with the need to repair after the war and commies just to the east. What Tsipras demands is less generous than that.

[Boston Bread]

The only way Greece can have a functional economy is if they focus on raising productivity instead of austerity, which can't happen if bankruptcy is constantly looming. Which is why I made the point that some debt cancellation should be on the table.

[Boston Bread]

Syriza's lead over ND is now over 8 points, 36.10-28.08
Edit: their lead is actually falling now. No majority it looks like. I don't know if that's good or bad.

[Boston Bread]

When it comes to reducing unemployment, new spending is justified. With 26% unemployment a large chunk of what should be their tax base is missing. In the long-term spending to boost private sector employment now reduces the debt in the long-term. The previous government hasn't done nearly enough to address that. SYRIZA is generally more trusted when it comes to addressing tax evasion and corruption than the traditional parties. They promise higher taxes and military cuts too so they're not promising money for jobs out of thin air.
Now, I'm not going to defend SYRIZA's platform because it goes further than what I want, but I'm supporting them as an agent of change.

[Boston Bread]

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Do what exactly?

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Whichever type of stimulus is the most effective at reducing unemployment, really. I don't have a platform of my own.

[Boston Bread]

Any reason why Samou island is so crazy for KKE? Over 15%.

[Boston Bread]

I still can't believe that an election where me and Snowstalker support the same party exists.

[Boston Bread]

Turnout is disappointing still. Only 64%.

[Boston Bread]

Crabcake, if that's a map of the election results you're missing a few northern regions which should be switched to Syriza.

http://ekloges.ypes.gr/current/v/public/index.html?lang=en#