Upheaval in SYRIZA gov’t after defeat

As well as preparing to face down conservative New Democracy in a snap general election, which government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said on Tuesday would be held on July 7, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras faces upheaval within his leftist party following SYRIZA's defeat in European Parliament polls.

In a joint interview with state broadcaster ERT and radio station News 24/7, SYRIZA's party secretary Panos Skourletis lashed out at unidentified government officials over their behavior, suggesting that they had alienated potential voters.

"Certain government officials created an image that I wouldn't call arrogant but that was not as measured and prudent as it should have been," he said.

The comment was widely interpreted as a jab at outspoken Alternate Health Minister Pavlos Polakis, who recently ruffled feathers with his criticism of the wheelchair-bound...