Greek Elections: New Complications in an Interminable Crisis

The run-up to Greece's Sept. 20 general elections has pushed the country into yet another period of uncertainty. Opinion polls show a close race between former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' Coalition of the Radical Left party, known as Syriza, and the conservative New Democracy party. Polls also show that as many as nine parties could earn the 3 percent of votes needed to enter the 300-seat parliament, resulting in a highly fragmented legislature and likely yielding an unstable coalition government. In addition, a significant number of voters remain undecided.

Irrespective of which parties ultimately find themselves in charge, one outcome of the election is almost certain: Implementation of certain bailout conditions will be delayed and with them the dispensation of Greece's much-needed rescue funds. This will prolong the uneasy environment in Athens through at least the end of the year.