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Anastasia Balezdrova

Thousands of Athenians flocked to Omonia Square to cheer the final election appearance of leader of the radical left coalition Alexis Tsipras. "This is not a pre-election meeting, this is a celebration," the supporters of SYRIZA commented excited, waving flags and slogans "Hope returns."

The rostrum was built on one side of the square and the supporters of SYRIZA filled the streets and sidewalks in front it as well as part of the three surrounding streets. The back of the square was empty.

Alexis Tsipras stepped on the rostrum shortly after 08:00 pm and announced that SYRIZA’s programme that was presented in Thessaloniki in September 2014 will be implemented letter for letter. He promised a non-taxable minimum income of 12,000 euro for all and assured that his government will seek responsibility from all who are on Lagarde-type lists. In front of the enthusiastic people in the square, he called on young people to vote for SYRIZA and adults for the future of their grandchildren.

"Vote for 100,000 18-year-olds whom the government does not allow to participate in the elections and 200,000 young Greeks who have been forced to emigrate over the past years and cannot be here on Sunday to vote for the future of their country," said the leader of the radical left.

Leader of the Spanish radical leftist Podemos party Pablo Iglesias was present at the election meeting in token of support for SYRIZA and was welcomed by the people with the slogan "Change Greece, change Europe."

Alexis Tsipras did not miss the opportunity to attack his main opponent in the elections Antonis Samaras, saying that immediately after the elections, New Democracy will need a new president since the time of the current Prime Minister as the leader of the party will have expired.

After the meeting, cheerful music filled the square and the song "People have the power" provoked cheers and dances en masse.

Some supporters of SYRIZA left immediately after Tsipras’ speech but many remained in the street in front of Omonia Square, taking pictures and dancing, exhilarated by the atmosphere of the victory that they expect.