Greek centre-right neck and neck with Syriza as snap election nears
by Helena Smith from on (#KMB5)
Gamble by Alexis Tsipras backfires as New Democracy draws level with ruling leftists, raising fears of more political uncertainty
The stage is set for one of the most exciting elections in recent Greek history after polls showed the former ruling leftwing party Syriza running neck and neck with the centre-right New Democracy party barely two weeks before the snap ballot.
Alexis Tsipras's surprise move to tighten his grip on power, with what he had hoped would be a fresh mandate to implement spending cuts and reforms, is showing all the signs of having backfired. Diehard leftists, appalled by the anti-austerity movement's spectacular U-turn, appear to be leaving Syriza in droves.
Related: Alexis Tsipras is down but far from out
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