Juncker, Tusk congratulate Tsipras on election win

European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker both congratulated Greece’s Alexis Tsipras for his election win.

Syriza, Greece’s left-wing party, won just over 35% and will renew its coalition with the nationalist Independent Greeks.

“I hope that the elections will now provide for the political stability necessary to face all the challenges at hand,” Tusk wrote in a letter to the Greek leader who has had a tumultuous year in seeking to revive a crippled economy.

Greece is facing both a financial and refugee crisis but has now given Tsipras a new mandate to avoid a Grexit. In an address on Monday, the leftist leader said he will secure debt relief from the country’s creditors.

“Many of the biggest challenges facing the European Union as a whole are the same as those facing Greece as a country, such as the refugee crisis and the creation of sustainable growth and jobs,” Tusk said.

“I trust that Greece, with your new Government will contribute constructively in seeking solutions to all those challenges. Your dedication and leadership in implementing the economic adjustment programme is crucial in order to make a difference in the recovery of the Greek economy.”

Likewise, Juncker urged Tsipras to now move forward with the implementation of the stability support programme, agreed to with the European partners last month.

“Greece now needs broad support across parties, institutional stability and timely delivery of the reforms so that confidence can return both among the Greek people and to the Greek economy.

“At the same time, there is an urgent need to operationalize the management of the refugee crisis.”

Juncker said Tsipras could count on him personally, and the European Commission, to stand by Greece and support the new government in its efforts.