International leaders react to the SYRIZA party’s triumph

How did international leaders react to SYRIZA’s win?

A number of personalities rushed to congratulate Radical left Coalition leader Alexis Tsipras for his win at Sunday’s national elections. Here are some reactions:

United States

The White House said on Monday that it is looking forward to a close collaboration with Greece’s new government following the success of the Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA party that strode into power on Sunday. “We congratulate Greece on successfully completing its parliamentary elections and we look forward to working closely with its next government,” said White House National Security Council Spokesman Mark Stroh from New Delhi.

France

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Mr. Tsipras for his party’s victory and pledged to work together. “He expressed a “desire to pursue the close cooperation between our two countries in service of growth and the stability of the euro zone, in a spirit of progress, solidarity and responsibility that is at the heart of the European values we share.”

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mr. Tsipras for his decisive victory and expressed certainty that Greece and Russia would continue to develop the traditionally close ties that bind them in an effort to constructively find solutions to current European and international problems. He congratulated Mr. Tsipras with a telegram and wished him “success… in light of the current complex conditions.”

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister David Cameron wasted no time tweeting his view that the success of SYRIZA marked a time of “economic uncertainty”.

Germany

Socialist European Parliament President Martin Schulz telephoned the next PM of Greece on Sunday evening to congratulate him on his party’s victory. Mr. Shulz congratulated Mr. Tsipras and gave assurances that he would do whatever he can so that a “mutually acceptable, viable solution” is found in the context of Greece’s negotiations with its international creditors.

On her part, German chancellor Angela Merkel made no statement concerning Greece’s electoral results. Sources close to the chancellor said that Ms. Merkel wanted to see the full results before making a statement.

Cyprus

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades congratulated Mr. Tsipras in a telegram sent on Monday morning. “I would like to congratulate you for your proud and historic victory, wishing every success to the mandate you have been given by the Greek people,” he said, adding that he looked forward to “close and sincere cooperation” with the Greek leader so as to “face the challenges in all the major issues, whether they relate to the Cyprus issue or to the economic and other pursuits of Greece and Cyprus.”