Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Coalition of Radical Left (SYRIZA), which polled second in the May 6 election, received yesterday by Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias, a mandate to explore whether he can form a government, enjoying the confidence of the Parliament. Tsipras laid out five points which will be the focus of discussions with other political leaders in an attempt to form a coalition government.
Upon receiving the mandate, Tsipras met with Democratic Left party (6.3% of the vote, 19 seats) leader Fotis Kouvelis, who pledged to support a leftist government, led by SYRIZA. He then met with the representative of the Eco-Greens party (2.93%, no seats), Ioanna Kontouli and Louka Katseli, leader of the Social Pact party (0.96%, no seats).
Earlier, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), refused to proceed to a meeting with Tsipras, on the basis of irreconcilable difference of approaches between the two parties. Today, Tsipras has scheduled meetings with New Democracy party leader, Antonis Samaras, PASOK leader, Evangelos Venizelos and Independent Greeks party leader, Panos Kammenos.
