Australia’s newspaper The Age reports that Greek Australians feel ambivalent about the upcoming snap elections in Greece. They are worried what would happen if the main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) wins the January 25 elections and puts an end to austerity measures, taking the risk of leading the country out of the euro area. On the other hand, they empathize with their friends and family in Greece who have been crippled by five years of harsh austerity policies implemented by the current coalition government.

Melbourne’s Greek Community President, lawyer Bill Papastergiadis, says that many Greek Australians have given financial assistance to their family members in Greece. “We’d like stability, a government with a strong mandate, an economic upswing for the country and a better social and political environment for our friends and relatives in Greece,” said Mr. Papastergiadis.

SYRIZA’s determination to renegotiate the bailout has concerned those who own property in Greece and fear that it may be devalued.

Sydney lawyer Nick Pappas said that Greek Australians are upset when they see Greece’s reputation tarnished by the continued economic and political crisis. Mr. Pappas said that SYRIZA has made populist statements about refusing to pay a big part of Greece’s debt, but his rhetoric is toning down as elections approach.