Greek voters began voting Sunday in an election that could lead to a dramatic showdown with the debt-laden nation’s lenders.
The left-wing party Syriza, which has vowed to renegotiate the terms of Greece’s multibillion-euro bailout if it wins, has been leading in opinion polls going into the vote.
The party’s pledges to try to get some of Greece’s colossal debt written off and roll back unpopular austerity measures have appealed to exasperated members of the electorate — even if it jeopardizes Greece’s place in the euro zone.
“That is a gamble that people in Greece seem to be prepared to take at this point, simply because the terms of its bailout have been so severe,” Greek journalist Elinda Labropoulou told CNN on Sunday.
One of those people willing to take the risk is Eleni Antoniou, a former public sector employee.
“People went bankrupt since we entered the bailout, poverty is visible across society, and I believe that hope is coming with Syriza’s program, not only for Greece, but for all of Europe,” she said ahead of the election.
‘Unknown territory’
The austerity imposed by Greece’s international creditors has cut deep. Unemployment has soared to 28%, and many people still in work have seen drastic decreases in wages, pensions frozen and the retirement age pushed back.
The governing New Democracy party has pointed to recent improvements in economic indicators as signs things are getting better. But it’s unclear if voters are willing to tolerate the political status quo any longer.
As he voted Sunday, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras framed the elections as a choice between stability and uncertainty.
“We decide whether we shall proceed dynamically, with security, or whether we are going to enter unknown territory,” he said.
‘Not the future of austerity’
Syriza has said New Democracy’s campaign is trying to play on people’s fears.
“Greek people will regain social cohesion and dignity,” Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Syriza, said after casting his vote. “And the message is that our common future in Europe is not the future of austerity, it’s the future of democracy, solidarity and cooperation.”
His message is one that has resonated in other Southern European countries under the restrictions of international bailouts.
A victory for Syriza could boost other populist parties, like Beppe Grillo’s anti-euro Five Star Movement in Italy and the Podemos Movement in Spain.
But if the party wins Sunday’s vote, it’s unclear how its plans to renegotiate the bailout would play out.