SYRIZA’s Populist Illusions

Abstract

Eleven articles discuss SYRIZA's populist politics starting from its first election in 2015, making predictions about what will happen in Greece and Europe after it and discussing the problem of populism to liberal democracy. Greece isn't Europe and Europe isn't Greece. The Greeks have become victims of SYRIZA's illusions and voted 'No' to the so-called Greferendum offering a symbolic victory to SYRIZA, which won't change the inevitable acceptance of a new bailout. This so-called aGreekment won't lead to the rise of the neo-Nazi party XA, but a left alternative to Europe is also impossible. Tsipras' victory in the new elections will barely change Greek politics, as it is the first post-Memorandum election and the last in which Tsipras will not be held responsible for previous policies. Now part of that politics is in Tsipras' hands and he faces the choice of which PASOK he wants to transform SYRIZA into. A year later, Greece is more isolated than ever before.