SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras cast his vote for today’s general elections, followed by a scrum of local reporters, TV crews and foreign correspondents:

“You are recording a historic moment. I want to stress that the Greek people are called on to decide on the remaining step for the return of hope, the end of fear, and a return of democracy to our country. The responsibility rests with the voters. Today we decide on whether the Troika returns to Greece tomorrow to follow Mr. Samaras’ (the PM) memorandum; to raise taxes and keep stepping up austerity measures, or if our country’s people will claim all that is rightfully theirs in Europe. If our country will renegotiate to be an equal part of the Eurozone. I believe that dignity will return”.

He also spoke in English, something that in the past wasn’t one of his “strong points”, stating: “Democracy and social cohesion will return to Greece, our current future in Europe is not the future of austerity. It is the future of democracy, solidarity and collaboration.”