New Greek elections

[Britanno]

Running a surplus isn't a bad idea, but it should be done when the economy is doing well. Sure, you can try running austerity measures during a recession/stagnation but it's kind of like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A surplus should have been ran before the recession and then that money could have been used to deal with the crisis that started in 2008. It's also very hard to run a surplus during a recession as government revenues naturally fall (unemployment, lower VAT etc) while spending naturally rises as welfare must increase etc.

My thinking would to be continue to run a modest deficit until the economy begins to pick up. Then when growth returns and revenue increases, you can run a surplus and start paying for the deficit and saving for a rainy day.

I completely agree, but the UK is out of reccession. I want arguing for it in Greece's case.

[Chestaan]

Running a surplus isn't a bad idea, but it should be done when the economy is doing well. Sure, you can try running austerity measures during a recession/stagnation but it's kind of like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A surplus should have been ran before the recession and then that money could have been used to deal with the crisis that started in 2008. It's also very hard to run a surplus during a recession as government revenues naturally fall (unemployment, lower VAT etc) while spending naturally rises as welfare must increase etc.

My thinking would to be continue to run a modest deficit until the economy begins to pick up. Then when growth returns and revenue increases, you can run a surplus and start paying for the deficit and saving for a rainy day.

I completely agree, but the UK is out of reccession. I want arguing for it in Greece's case.

It is technically, but it's stagnating just like the rest of Europe (with the exception of Ireland). I can see your point completely but I would caution any austerity that is too strong, as it could kill off the little growth that the UK has, 0.8% I believe.

[Calimera II]

Well, we'll see whether Greece goes the Uruguayan/Argentinean way or the austerity way.

[Britanno]

It is technically, but it's stagnating just like the rest of Europe (with the exception of Ireland). I can see your point completely but I would caution any austerity that is too strong, as it could kill off the little growth that the UK has, 0.8% I believe.

Britain's doing pretty well...

[Martean]

What do you think results will be?

I think it will be something close to this:

Syriza: 36%
ND: 31%
To Potami: 8%
GD: 6,5%
KKE: 5,5%
PASOK: 4,5%
ANEL: 3% (may not enter the parliament)
Kinima: 2,5% (may enter the parliament, but I doubt it)
Dimar: <1% (Does someone still votes them?)

Supposing ANEL entered the parliament, and with the results above, I see a coalition between Syriza, To Potami, and ANEL.

[Calimera II]

SYRIZA cannot deliver on its promises nor do I foresee it having the will, once elected, to stand up to the Merkelreich.

A better choice will be from the right. Perhaps ANEL or Golden Dawn.

So you would vote for the Nazi Party?

[Geilinor]

Supposing ANEL entered the parliament, and with the results above, I see a coalition between Syriza, To Potami, and ANEL.

Expected, but this means that Syriza will have to moderate and abandon some of its promises.

[Baltenstein]

I saw it today in the News, there were lots of representatives of the Spanish Left, like Ada Colau, who will present herself as mayor of Barcelona under the 'Ganemos' (Let's win) platform, supported by Podemos. There were also prominent leaders such as Iglesias (that even went there and said 3 phrases in Greek, lulz) and people were singing '¡Syriza-podemos, venceremos!'' and the leader of the communist-dominated United Left, that, unlike the KKE, is willing to form a coalition government with Podemos.

Pablo Iglesias was also present at Tsipras' speech at the Syriza Youth Festival in Athens in the beginning of October. I actually ran into him at the event's exit gate and wished him good luck for his campaign in Spain with my rusty Castellano, which he appreciated.

Expected, but this means that Syriza will have to moderate and abandon some of its promises.

As is usually the case with government coalition.

Personally, I would favor a Syriza/Potami-coalition over a Syriza/ANEL-coalition, but both are possible.

[Atlanticatia]

Some estimates say that if SYRIZA gets to just 38% they'll win an absolute majority. They are very close to that and have seen 38% in one opinion poll.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Some estimates say that if SYRIZA gets to just 38% they'll win an absolute majority. They are very close to that and have seen 38% in one opinion poll.

I'd like to point out that in the weeks leading up to the European election, SYRIZA polled about 3-5% better than their actual results. I may be wrong, since I haven't seen those polls in a while.

[Atlanticatia]

Some estimates say that if SYRIZA gets to just 38% they'll win an absolute majority. They are very close to that and have seen 38% in one opinion poll.

I'd like to point out that in the weeks leading up to the European election, SYRIZA polled about 3-5% better than their actual results. I may be wrong, since I haven't seen those polls in a while.

Yup, polls aren't an exact indicator obviously. No one can be sure what the final result will be.

My personal prediction is that Alexis Tsipras will become the Greek PM, but SYRIZA will probably have to go into coalition. I do not see a result that leaves out SYRIZA occurring, though.

[Liberty and Linguistics]

I'd like to point out that in the weeks leading up to the European election, SYRIZA polled about 3-5% better than their actual results. I may be wrong, since I haven't seen those polls in a while.

Yup, polls aren't an exact indicator obviously. No one can be sure what the final result will be.

My personal prediction is that Alexis Tsipras will become the Greek PM, but SYRIZA will probably have to go into coalition. I do not see a result that leaves out SYRIZA occurring, though.

Indeed. When Election Day comes, I feel that some Greeks who claimed to have supported SYRIZA may get nervous, and vote for Samaras or Potami/PASOK.

[Greed and Death]

why are the spaniards so interested on the greeck elections?

If Greece Leaves the Euro and renegs on its debt and comes out ok, parties in Spain advocating a similar approach would likely gain seats and might even be able to force Spain to take a similar approach.

[Atlanticatia]

Yup, polls aren't an exact indicator obviously. No one can be sure what the final result will be.

My personal prediction is that Alexis Tsipras will become the Greek PM, but SYRIZA will probably have to go into coalition. I do not see a result that leaves out SYRIZA occurring, though.

Indeed. When Election Day comes, I feel that some Greeks who claimed to have supported SYRIZA may get nervous, and vote for Samaras or Potami/PASOK.

I wonder what voter turnout will be, as that could make a huge difference. Greece usually averages about 65%.

If a huge amount of young people turn out, which Syriza is banking on, that could deliver them a victory. If they don't turnout, then Syriza won't do as well.

[Geilinor]

I looked up To Potami and I'm interested, I like it. Their leader has no political experience, but they'd make a good partner for Syriza.

[Shofercia]

I'm wondering, why won't SYRIZA take Greece out of the Eurozone? I'm not talking about EU Grexit, I'm talking about EZ Grexit. The ECB & Co have been playing hardball with Greece, telling Greece "austerity or we kick you out of the EZ, fuckers!" SYRIZA's stance is very much anti-austerity. So if ECB & Co refuse to negotiate on the issue of austerity, and SYRIZA stands firm, wouldn't that lead to a Grexit from the EZ?

[Baltenstein]

I'm wondering, why won't SYRIZA take Greece out of the Eurozone? I'm not talking about EU Grexit, I'm talking about EZ Grexit. The ECB & Co have been playing hardball with Greece, telling Greece "austerity or we kick you out of the EZ, fuckers!" SYRIZA's stance is very much anti-austerity. So if ECB & Co refuse to negotiate on the issue of austerity, and SYRIZA stands firm, wouldn't that lead to a Grexit from the EZ?

The overwhelming majority of Greeks doesn't want to leave the Eurozone. For one, it is a solid anchor of the country's European identity. Second, the new currency would become instantly worthless, evaporating the Greeks' safings and making it impossible to afford foreign goods - and I'm not talking luxury goods but stuff like medicin, food, oil etc.

[CTALNH]

I'm wondering, why won't SYRIZA take Greece out of the Eurozone? I'm not talking about EU Grexit, I'm talking about EZ Grexit. The ECB & Co have been playing hardball with Greece, telling Greece "austerity or we kick you out of the EZ, fuckers!" SYRIZA's stance is very much anti-austerity. So if ECB & Co refuse to negotiate on the issue of austerity, and SYRIZA stands firm, wouldn't that lead to a Grexit from the EZ?

The overwhelming majority of Greeks doesn't want to leave the Eurozone. For one, it is a solid anchor of the country's European identity. Second, the new currency would become instantly worthless, evaporating the Greeks' safings and making it impossible to afford foreign goods - and I'm not talking luxury goods but stuff like medicin, food, oil etc.

Actually the majority wants to leave at least where I live and most people I have asked want greece out of the eurozone.

Their humans not uber geniuses that think 5 years in advance for everything.

[Empire of Narnia]

KKE 4 life!

[Baltenstein]

The overwhelming majority of Greeks doesn't want to leave the Eurozone. For one, it is a solid anchor of the country's European identity. Second, the new currency would become instantly worthless, evaporating the Greeks' safings and making it impossible to afford foreign goods - and I'm not talking luxury goods but stuff like medicin, food, oil etc.

Actually the majority wants to leave at least where I live and most people I have asked want greece out of the eurozone.

Their humans not uber geniuses that think 5 years in advance for everything.

Most (read: all) polls I know disagree with the people from where you live.

[Baltenstein]

KKE 4 life!

If you're Stalinist, sure.

By the way, there is a new non-Stalinist hard-left party whose platform and ideology is more or less that of Syriza from 6 years ago (before they became a mass party and turned more to the centre):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_of_t ... alist_Left

[CTALNH]

Actually the majority wants to leave at least where I live and most people I have asked want greece out of the eurozone.

Their humans not uber geniuses that think 5 years in advance for everything.

Most (read: all) polls I know disagree with the people from where you live.

Yes also polls results can be skimmed to alter reality.

That why for some reason syriza got 3% percent better than best polls in the european parliament elections.

I am not saying that people that want as to stay in the Eurozone don't exist but the majority of the people I know want us out.

I too want us out but I know it practically impossible with the state of our economy now.

[Mike the Progressive]

Wait.... Greece has elections? I thought they used a king.

[CTALNH]

Wait.... Greece has elections? I thought they used a king.

Seriously? Or are you fucking with me?

[Empire of Narnia]

KKE 4 life!

If you're Stalinist, sure.

By the way, there is a new non-Stalinist hard-left party whose platform and ideology is more or less that of Syriza from 6 years ago (before they became a mass party and turned more to the centre):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_of_t ... alist_Left

I am a Stalinist.