Leftist win in Greece to trigger change in Europe: Official

"Necessary change in Europe begins here, in Greece," Alexis Tsipras said in a speech in the Greek capital, Athens, on Saturday.
 
Tsipras also referred to Spain, where the leftist Podemos party has led in opinion polls ahead of forthcoming elections, and Ireland as countries that could follow Greece to change the current European Union economic policies.
 
Tsipras, whose party is ahead in polls before the January 25 vote, stated that he wants to make Greece a "positive example of progressivism in Europe."
 
"With vigorous negotiations, we guarantee our country's truly equitable participation in the eurozone," he noted, adding, "We must finish with austerity."
 
Syriza has pledged to reverse many reforms, including cutting taxes and increasing state aid and public services, imposed by the so-called "troika" of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission (EC) and the European Central Bank.
 
Greece has been relying on international rescue loans since 2010. It has received 240 billion euros (USD 330 billion) in international loans. In exchange, Athens has implemented harsh austerity measures.
 
Greeks have lost about a third of their disposable income since the debt crisis erupted in 2009. The unemployment rate has also soared, leaving about one in four without a job.