Syriza triumph ‘uncovers Europe’s neoliberal problems’

Syriza’s massive victory in Greece’s elections has exposed the problems of Europe’s neoliberal policies, EU expert Prof. Roderick Pace said.

“According to neoliberal policies, having an uncontrolled free market and getting the ‘market fundamentals’ right can solve anything,” Pace, the director of the University’s Institute for European Studies said. “In reality, it has led to fundamental cleavages in society, with the wealthiest 1% getting richer and the poor people getting poorer.

“Pro-austerity conservatives like the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy believe in placing the market before man, but I believe that Syriza’s victory will hasten Europe’s search for an alternative approach to austerity.”

Alexis Tsipras, the head of the left-wing Syriza party, was sworn is as Greek Prime Minister on Monday after winning the election on an anti-austerity platform. His insistence on renegotiating Greece’s €240 billion bailout package with the Troika (the EU, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund) has led to fears that Greece could exit the Eurozone.

“A lot now depends on the results of negotiations between Syriza and the Troika,” sociologist Michael Briguglio said. “It’s in everybody’s interest that Greece remain in the Eurozone, but both sides must be ready to make compromises.”

“We cannot expect Maltese and other EU taxpayers to simply pick up the bills of Syriza promises,” MEP Roberta Metsola said. “On the other hand however, I do think that it is too early to talk about Greece leaving the Eurozone. We are not yet at that stage and we would be wrong to jump to immediate conclusions.”

“A Greek exit from the Eurozone will certainly be drastic but, all things considered, it will be the Eurozone’s best possible solution,” economist Karm Farrugia said. “The EU had bailed out Ireland as well but they managed to recuperate. Greece has a long-term problem- their administration of the economy leaves a lot to be desired.”

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