New Leftist Victories in Greece Leaders Economic Policy Uncertain as Elections Challenge Status Quo

Democracy, elections, and voting at DC

Pressure builds on France’s Hollande over EU debt plans

AFP – Pressure built on president-elect Francois Hollande to stand by France’s austerity vows Tuesday, with Germany’s Angela Merkel saying Europe was counting on them to resolve the bloc’s debt crisis. Elected Sunday on a wave of anti-austerity feeling and pledges to put growth at the heart of European economics.

The head of Greece’s radical left-wing Syriza party said Tuesday his cabinet will reject all austerity measures imposed under an EU-IMF loan deal, if he manages to form a new government. “The public verdict has clearly nullified the loan agreement and (pledges) sent to Europe and the IMF,” Alexis Tsipras.