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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Maybe if Europe did not pursue punishing austerity policies in the aftermath of the Crash of 2008 – but instead implemented more-stimulative policies like the US did in 2009 - 2010 – groups such as these would not have been able to ride a tide of resentment over skyrocketing unemployment and reduced social safety net spending.
This is what happens when a gov’t doesn’t listen to/take care of the people who put them in office. If only the lower-economic class of the republi-tard party in this were smart enough to recognize themselves in the Greek people!