/ 26 January 2015

Greece election: France congratulates leftist party Syriza on victory

Greece Election: France Congratulates Leftist Party Syriza On Victory

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras for his Syriza party’s election victory on Sunday and pledged to work together to support growth and stability in the euro zone.

In a statement issued by the French presidency, Hollande expressed his “desire to pursue the close cooperation between our two countries in service of growth and the stability of the euro zone, in a spirit of progress, solidarity and responsibility that is at the heart of the European values we share.”

Tsipras said earlier that five years of austerity, “humiliation and suffering” imposed by international creditors were over after his Syriza party swept to victory in a snap election on Sunday. 

European economic uncertainty
British Prime Minister David Cameron warned on Sunday that the Greek election would raise economic uncertainty across Europe, saying it meant his country had to stick to his plan for Britain’s own economy.

“The Greek election will increase economic uncertainty across Europe. That’s why the UK must stick to our plan, delivering security at home,” Cameron said on his official Twitter feed.

Cameron made his comments after Greece’s left-wing Syriza appeared on course to trounce the ruling conservatives in Sunday’s snap election, setting up a possible confrontation with international creditors. 

Spreadbetters see Europe shares falling after Greek vote European stocks were set to fall at the open on Monday, trimming some of last week’s sharp gains, as Greece’s Syriza party promised to roll back austerity measures after sweeping to victory in a snap election.

Financial spreadbetters expected Britain’s FTSE 100 to open around 67 points lower, or down 1%, Germany’s DAX to open 114 points lower, or down 1.1%, and France’s CAC 40 to open 48 points lower, or down 1%.

Spain’s IBEX was seen opening 196 points lower, or down 1.9% and Italy’s MIB opening 398 points lower, or down 1.9%.

Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras promised on Sunday that five years of austerity, “humiliation and suffering” imposed by international creditors were over after his party’s victory.– AFP