Tsipras vindicated by election win

Greece`s Alexis Tsipras has said his left-wing Syriza party has a "clear mandate" after winning a second general election in less than nine months.

But he said Greeks faced a difficult road and recovery from financial crisis would only come through hard work.

With nearly all votes counted, Syriza had won more than 35%.

That was short of a majority, but Syriza will form a coalition with the nationalist Independent Greeks. Conservative New Democracy won 28%.

The far-right Golden Dawn is set to be the third biggest party, with about 7% of the vote.

The snap election was called after Syriza lost its majority in August. This followed the signing of an unpopular new financial bailout deal with international creditors.

Turnout in Sunday`s poll was just over 55%, down from 63% in January and low by Greek standards.