Greece election: Alexis Tsipras hails 'victory of the people'

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They expected victory, but not by this kind of margin. Projections now suggest that the radical left-wing Party Syriza will hold on to power in the Greek Parliament, and with almost enough seats for a majority.

Only days ago, pollsters and pundits were predicting a tight-run contest, Syriza neck-and-neck with its conservative rivals, New Democracy. Instead, Syriza can comfortably form a coalition government with its previous partner, the nationalist Independent Greeks.

Critics wondered whether it was worth holding a contest which left Greece with the same government as before. But Syriza's leader, Alexis Tsipras, is now in a stronger position, his decision to accept austerity measures in return for bailout cash apparently vindicated by the result.