How the Greek election will affect our election

In ten days time, Greece goes to the polls in what is, arguably, the most important election that will take place this year. For if — as looks likely — Syriza wins, then the Eurozone crisis will move into an acute and particularly dangerous phase.

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Douglas Murray

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Syriza are committed to a loosening of the terms of the Greek bailout deal. But, as I write in the magazine this week, Berlin, Frankfurt and Brussels are all adamant that there will be no easing of the fiscal straitjacket. Indeed, Berlin is making it clear that it would rather Greece leave the Euro than allow it to restructure its debts.

As always with Greece and the Euro, this isn’t really about this small economy on the EU’s south eastern edge. What the EU powers that be are really worried about is that if Syriza wins any concessions, then voters in other periphery countries will demand the same leniency.