Greeks take to polls in snap general election

Left-wing Syriza expected to win today's election.

Greeks have taken to the polls to vote in a snap general election that could result in Greece attempting to renegotiate the terms of its bailout with international lenders. There are nearly 10 million eligible voters, who are electing the country's 300-member parliament. The left-wing Syriza party, which has long been tipped to win, wants part of Greece's huge debt written off and austerity measures revoked.

This has led to fears that Greece could default from its debt and exit the euro. Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras says that his party will restore "dignity" to Greece by rolling back on cuts to jobs, pay and pensions that have affected millions of people across the country. Greece has been forced to endure heavy budget cuts as part of its bailout negotiated with the 'troika of lenders'- the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. The Greek economy has shrunk by 25% since the 2008 global financial crisis, unemployment has risen to 25%, youth unemployment has risen to 50%, and many Greeks have been thrown into poverty.

Centre-right New Democracy, led by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, are the second favourites to win today's election. Samaras has promised to work "day and night" to keep the country standing and has warned that Syriza's policies could force the country out of the euro, serging what he called the "drachma lobby", a reference to the former Greek currency. He also warned that a euro exit could see Greece missing out on a massive quantitative easi g programme unveiled by the European Central Bank last week to help stimulate the eurozone economy. The centrist To Potami and the right-wing Golden Dawn party are expected to fight for third place in the elections. Polls will close at 19:00 local time, and the first exit polls are expected immediately after the voting ends.