Greece parliamentary election - September 20, 2015

[Zinneke]

He just announced his resignation.

Can't think of a government term that has failed worse than Tsipras'. Won the elections as the new Greek king with all kinds of promises, went on a tour through Europe as if he's Lady Gaga, and then got zero respect in the EU. Promised to change things, promised to make lives better, promised Greece not to be humiliated anymore, yet a few months later he staunchly defended the biggest austerity package Greece has ever seen. Books will be written about this U-turn. I thought I understood his strategy when he called the referendum: let the people decide to leave the eurozone, and then start again at point zero. I think he realized that the consequences would be too risky for Greece, that the consequences would hurt too many people - but he realized it too late. Of course, it was an even bigger mistake to think the other EU countries would show some compassion. I think of Tsipras as a person who genuinely wanted to do good, but who found out that reality sometimes doesn't work that way, even if it should. The "Syriza experience" will probably be another blow to many Greeks, who wanted change. This will make even more Greeks cynical about democracy, which deeply saddens me (and which will come with political consequences absolutely nobody will like). There are no winners, only losers in this story.

He's got Syriza +4% in the polls and his party is still (loosely) united despite members voting against what is effectively law written outside of the country's policy making process. They would still rather support him than let ND take the +50 bonus seats.

Tsipras will be PM for another 5 more years. Then, and only then, will we be able to judge him. Because all he has done in six months is negotiate. Had any alternative been presented with victory there wouldn't even be negotiation. So he is for the moment viewed as a success. In Greece, anyway.

[Zinneke]

If the anti Tsipras people control the CC, couldn't THEY take over SYRIZA and force Tsipras to start a break away?

Because brand Syriza is toxic to the people who oppose the bailout. Voters don't keep up with stuff like this the way we do.

[Zinneke]

How much will (illegal) immigration be considered when voting, considering most Greeks appear to be resigned to their fate.