ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Radical left leader Alexis Tsipras has been sworn in as Greece’s new prime minister, becoming the youngest man to hold the post in 150 years.
The 40-year-old broke with tradition and took a secular oath rather than the Greek Orthodox religious ceremony with which prime ministers are usually sworn in.
Tsipras’ anti-bailout Syriza party gained the backing needed to form a government earlier Monday by creating a surprise alliance with a small right-wing nationalist party.
Syriza won 36.3 percent of the vote in Sunday’s early general elections but fell two seats short of the necessary majority in the 300-seat parliament to form a government on its own.
The details of who will serve in the government and whether the two parties will form a coalition or whether there will be a Syriza-only minority government are expected to be announced later Monday.
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