Syriza returns to power in Greek general election

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Greece’s leftwing leader Alexis Tsipras has emerged triumphant from a snap general election after securing a dramatic victory over his conservative rival, despite a turbulent first term in office and predictions that the race was too close to call after he accepted a crushing eurozone-led austerity programme during his first term in office.

The charismatic leader looked set to be returned to power with a near-repeat of the stunning win that catapulted his Syriza party into office in January.

With more than half of the ballot papers counted, Syriza was leading with a 35.5% share of the vote compared to 28.2 % for the centre-right New Democracy party. Speaking in Athens on Sunday night, Tsipras declared the election a victory for the people. “This victory belongs to the people and those who dream of a better tomorrow and we’ll achieve it with hard work,” he said.

Jubilant supporters, clearly relieved at the result, took to the streets in celebration, with many singing and dancing outside Syriza’s main election marquee in central Athens.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/20/syriza-set-to-return-to-power-in-greek-general-election

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The second Greek general election of 2015 has resulted in a triumph for Alexis Tsipras. His far-left party Syriza is on course to win 35.5% of the vote and 145 seats. The centre-right New Democracy party is set to take 75 seats with 28% of the vote share – virtually unchanged from the previous election.

Meanwhile, the far-right Golden Dawn party confirmed its position as the third force in parliament, gaining two seats compared with January’s election. The party, according to exit poll data, was the preferred option among unemployed voters.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/20/greece-election-result-the-key-numbers

[iandhr]

1. 7% majority?

And more than double the seats?

[Fred Sanders]

3. 7% of total votes cast. Need 3% to get any seats, and then you get a minimum of 9 seats of the

300 seats in the Parliament.

If you double your votes, from 4% to 7% as Golden Dawn did, you can get double the seats, 9 to 18.....but it makes little difference out of 300 seats.

It seems pretty fair.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. The party with the most seats gets another 50 to make a majority more likely

The electoral system used is referred to as "reinforced proportionality", a form of semi-proportional representation with a majority bonus: The party that wins a plurality of votes cast is awarded an extra 50 seats. Small parties on the other hand need to reach an electoral threshold of 3% in order to be represented in parliament. These provisions help the party or coalition that wins a plurality to achieve an absolute majority (151 out of 300 parliamentary seats); this is intended to enhance governmental stability.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Greece#Electoral_system

though 145 is not more than double 75.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Golden Dawn was the subject of my comment, not Syriza, which lost 5 to 6 seats only.

[iandhr]

6. Appreciate it thank you

[Fred Sanders]

2. The Golden Dawn Party of America, formerly the GOP, plays to the same fears and myths as in Greece.

[PoliticAverse]

7. More of the same for Greece. n/t