On February 11, 2015, SETA hosted a panel to discuss SYRIZA’s victory in Greece along with the rise of radicalism and the Greek-Turkish relations.

One of the panelists, Ioannis Griogriadis, an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Bilkent University in Ankara, shading a light on democracy in Greece in the late 1990s and early 2000s argued that “It is a bit difficult to say that Syriza is a completely new actor.”

According to Dr. Griogriadis, “Syriza is new. Yes. But it also carries connotations of other Greek parties.”

“The choice of a far right partner for the coalition gave a signal that Syriza is not interested in compromise,” the panelist said.

Although some anticipate a rapid failure of Syriza and expect the New Democracy to come to power, but the Professor believes this is the less likely scenario.