As Germany Stands Firm Against Attempts to Scale Back Austerity in Greece, What’s Next for Syriza? – In These Times

Since winning the country’s election on January 25, Syriza has been on shaky footing. First, they inherited a country running out of money, a bailout agreement on the brink of expiring and a humanitarian crisis. They won largely by campaigning against all of the above. Second, they needed to form a coalition in order to hold a majority in parliament. Syriza was rejected by Greece’s communist party, the KKE, a party hellbent on maintaining its rigid Marxist-Leninist dogma and revolutionary credibility. Syriza formed a shaky and controversial coalition with ANEL, the right-wing Independent Greeks. Entering negotiations, the goal for Greece was clear: Running out of money, facing an uncertain economic future and seeking terra firma, they aimed to secure stability.

To do so, the Greek government aimed for a bridge agreement that would hold it over for a few months. After rounds of talks and sustained resistance from their German counterparts, Syriza succumbed and submitted a six-month loan request on Thursday; more clearly put, they asked to extend the bailout.

via As Germany Stands Firm Against Attempts to Scale Back Austerity in Greece, What’s Next for Syriza? – In These Times.