Alexis Tsipras was sworn in for a second time as the prime minister of Greece this year despite an astonishing U-turn on his bail-out election pledges of just a few months ago.
It does not seem long since the will Greek exit the euro or not debate swung to and fro across Europe, with central banks and governments readying for the Grexit.
Then bang…it was all over as Tsipras backtracked on his promises to voters not to let the rest of Europe dictate terms to Greece.
The political shenanigans went to the 11th hour as Tsipras held out as long as possible to save face, but in the end he had to buckle despite his vow to the electorate.
Then he resigned as prime minister leaving a political vacuum in Athens.
Another Greek election
Now the people have gone to the polls again and voted Tsipras and his Syriza party back into power.
The result was a surprise as an outpouring of revenge voting against Syriza was expected.
The Greek election is not the only tricky poll the Eurozone faces before the end of the year.
Next up this weekend is an election in Catalonia, Spain.
Spain under pressure
Catalonians are turning the vote into a referendum for independence and the pro-independence coalition is expected to win hands down, putting pressure on the national government.
Then, Spain faces a national election in December, which is expected to the People’s Party or Socialist Party. The outcome is uncertain, but although Spain has benefitted from a Eurozone bail out, the economic is much different to Greek austerity.
Spain has one of Europe’s fastest growing economies and the dark days of austerity look to well behind the country.
Some smaller parties challenged in local elections earlier in the year, so a coalition of some kind towards the left or centre is not an unlikely outcome.
Portugal goes to the polls
Another bail out country heading for the hustings is Portugal.
Politics in Portugal are steady despite tough austerity measures imposed in 2011 under bail out terms.
The Socialist Party is a nose ahead of the ruling Social Democrats in the polls, but the vote early in October is not expected to ruffle the economy or the smooth flow of state business.
With such a narrow gap in the popularity polls so close to election day, a minority led coalition is possible, but the Social Democrats remain popular and could well win another term.
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