As widely expected, the Greeks voted in a government which promised heaven on earth u manna niezla mis-sema (and manna falling from the sky)! The only problem is that the state has no money to throw around and the only reason it had any funds during the last 15 years is because the Greeks managed to bluff their way into the eurozone.

Now that Greece has put a spanner in the works of the European Union by voting overwhelmingly against austerity measures and seeking to renegotiate the terms of conditions of its bailout, other countries have entertained hopes of renegotiating their conditions as well... countries like Britain, Spain and Portugal.

Syriza's victory has revived hopes of anti-austerity groups across Europe that they too can pull off a similar coup. Spain and Portugal will hold elections later on this year and Ireland must go to the polls by April 2016.

Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's Northern League, was pleased with the outcome of the Greek's election saying that this result is "a lovely big slap in the face for the Soviet Union of Europe".

However, politicians expressed concern that these anti-austerity groups in the various states of Europe will almost certainly trigger a dangerous series of shockwaves across the European Union.

Alas, the jubilant Prime Minister of Greece, 40-year old Alexis Tsipras vowed to keep his electoral promises. However, he was urged to act 'responsibly' amid fears that his resounding victory could usher in a damaging era of instability for Europe.

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara