Greek Prime Minster Tsipras Steps Down, Calls Snap Election for September
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced today that he is stepping down and calling elections for Sept. 20 in an attempt to reconsolidate power as he faces a rebellion within his left-wing Syriza party. Tsipras was elected seven months ago, pledging to resist European-imposed austerity measures, but has surprised many by agreeing to a new $94 billion bailout deal in exchange for harsh economic reforms including tax increases and changes to the country’s health care and pension programs. Tsipras needed the support of the centrist parties he ousted earlier this year in order to win parliamentary approval for the bailout. And so the deal caused a rift within his own party, with some members accusing him of capitulating to European demands and selling out the values of the Greek left. Syriza is now likely to formally split, with the hard-left faction led by former energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, who was fired by Tsipras from the Cabinet in a reshuffle last month. Tsipras is hoping that voters will give him the support he needs to continue implementing the bailout without opposition support. The question is less whether Tsipras will win the vote than by how much. Polls put support for Syriza at about 33 percent, making it the country’s most popular party by a long shot, but not popular enough to rule without a coalition partner. The party is hoping for an absolute majority that could return some stability to the Greek political system for the first time in a while, but that doesn’t look likely. Greece received the first $14.5 billion tranche of the bailout money on Thursday, allowing it to avoid a default to the European Central Bank. However, many economists as well as the International Monetary Fund have questioned whether Greece will be able to maintain the budget surpluses required under the deal. Crucially, the election in September will be held before the tax increases and pension cuts mandated as part of the deal go into effect. Tsipras may still have the support of most voters, but he also wants to make sure he gets their votes before they fully know what they’re in for.
- 最近发表
-
- 12 Sculptures Made From Recycled Materials
- Security camera captures creepy creature and everyone has a theory
- NYC subway riders can't help but sing along to 'I Want It That Way'
- 你的目光,让我们很受伤——走进身边的浴足技师
- 科创筑梦树立远大志向 蓄势赋能培养科技人才
- 消防官兵踊跃向玉树地震灾区伤员献血
- Severe heat wave grips Korea
- US urges full implementation of North Korea sanctions by all UN members
- Apple iPod: The First 10 Years of the Ubiquitous Media Player
- 搏击商海 打造精品企业
- 随机阅读
-
- 25 Years Later: A Brief Analysis of GPU Processing Efficiency
- US denies hostile intent, reiterates willingness to talk with North Korea
- Tributes flow online for much
- Pogba's brother charged by police
- Best smart home deals this week
- 市司法局:集中培训司法鉴定人员
- #ICantKeepQuiet: How an emotional song of empowerment went viral after the Women's March
- Car rental options up for ride
- 特写|在农事定向大赛遇见和美乡村
- 你的目光,让我们很受伤——走进身边的浴足技师
- N.K. has no plans for press conference after ARF, decision remains up to Ri: N.K. official
- Disagreement on North Korea sanctions feared to weaken Seoul
- Value Judgment
- North Korean leader says inter
- The one photo that shows exactly why women are fighting Trump
- Amazon Dash announces more than 50 new brand partners
- 夏凤俭与四川建安工业有限责任公司董事长耿海波座谈
- Ministry releases SK No. 2 on parole
- Alcaraz puts Spain into Davis Cup quarters
- Sampras pays tribute to Federer
- 搜索
-
- 友情链接
-