The European Elections in Greece have marked a turning point in its relationship with Europe. Voters largely split themselves between eurosceptic parties: Syriza on the far-left and neo-Nazi Golden Dawn who won three seats. However, Alexis Tsipras’ party got the lion’s share of the vote.

“Tomorrow Europe will be talking about Syriza. The Europeans celebrate the defeat of austerity in the country that the European leadership chose as the guinea-pig of the crisis,” said Tsipras.

“We send a message of solidarity, resistance and hope to the whole of Europe,” said Syriza MP Foteini Kouvela.

In light of the result Tsipras wasted no time in calling for general elections
saying the outcome robbed the government of any “political or moral legitimacy” as euronews correspondent Nikoletta Kritikou in Athens explains:

“Syriza’s supporters received the results of the European as well as the regional elections with great enthusiasm. They strongly believe that their victory will entail rapid political developments in the country.”