Greece hands eurozone a fresh serving of uncertainty

Greece awoke this morning to a new era, after voters handed a historic victory to the far-left Syriza party.

What's clear the new leadership has vowed to end years of crushing austerity measures.

What isn't is what that means for the future of the eurozone.

Amanda Lang

Heformed a coalition with the right-wing Independent Greeks party, whichbrings 13 seats to the power-sharing agreement.

One thing they do share is a mutual disdain for Greece's international bailout deal, and the tough austerity measures that come with it.

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Over the last five years, international lenders have loaned Greece 240billion euros ($336 billion Cdn).

In return, it agreed to impose deep cuts to public spending, jobs, wages and pensions, while also hiking taxes.

Now, the Syriza party wants to renegotiate those terms, saying the policies have created a "vicious circle."

Greece's share of debt to GDP has jumped from 127 per centin 2009 to 176 per centlast year. Economic output is 25 per centlower.

Unemployment is above 25 per cent. More than half of young peopledon't have a job.And average income is down at least 30 per cent.

TodayEurope indicated it may give Greece more time to pay its debts, but would not consider debt forgiveness.

Financial markets largely shook off Sunday's vote.

Moving forward, though, investors will watch those bailout negotiations closely and nervously, as some fear they could force a Greek exit from the eurozone.