Several reports from the German press see Alexis Tsipras and SYRIZA going to the September 20 snap elections weakened and his victory uncertain.
“SYRIZA pragmatists are in a difficult situation” says financial newspaper Handelsblatt. “Alexis Tsipras has lost his fighter profile before the elections… Realist Tsipras brought a third bailout package and he was praised in Washington, Brussels and Berlin. However, his backtracking made him lose his credibility to SYRIZA voters,” Handelsblatt says.
“Tsipras’ sure victory is suddenly uncertain,” says Die Welt. “More and more lawmakers leave SYRIZA… The party percentages in polls shrink and possible alliances are fragile at best,” the report continues.
“Tsipras goes to elections weakened,” Süddeutsche Zeitung and adds: “Resignations and departures from SYRIZA may cost the departing prime minister the majority.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has a different opinion and comments that “Tsipras is playing poker again – with good odds.” The newspaper notes that “after the prime minister’s resignation, the opposition doesn’t have a strong candidate. People are tired of (political) cliques.” The paper also says that Tsipras’ transformation from opponent to supporter of a new rescue deal and reforms has not hurt his popularity and he is the most likely election winner.
Along the same lines, Berlin’s Tageszeitung justifies Alexis Tsipras and his stance and strategy, speaking of coercive behavior on the part of the Eurozone finance ministers dominated by Germany and he had to choose between Scylla and Charybdis: allegiance to a third bailout memorandum or Grexit. Tsipras’ choice to speak out against a Grexit led to inevitable intense intra-party squabbling. Yet, it was the right decision. “It is not treason to back down against a deadly blackmail,” the newspaper says.
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