Kirk Kus tweets, external: Left-Wing Syriza form a collation with Right-Wing Ind. Greeks. Is it the question now, right vs wrong not right vs left ? #greeceElections

Lida Far tweets, external: #Greece has thrown EU estab'ment a curve ball whilst lowering lifeline to majority of ordinary joes ravaged by austerity. #InterestingTimes

Lots of journalists at the scene have been pointing out that the weather has been less-than-welcoming to the new Greek government. Here is the ancient Parthenon temple illuminated in the rain.

Image source, AP

Christopher Baulcombe from Bournemouth emails: EU 'leaders', please respect Greece's democratic decision. After all, this government has been elected through a democratic process, not a backroom deal, which is the norm for EU leadership.

Megan from Cheshire emails: What is the point of eurozone finance ministers meeting to discuss Greece before the new Greek government has had time to appoint a finance minister to represent them at the meeting?

We have our rules, and our rules were established through a common agreement with the Greek authorities. We are going to see what the demands of the new Greek government will be, we will discuss them as we discuss them with all governments. Independently of its composition, the choice of the Greek electorate is not the responsibility of the Commission, but the Commission works with all governments which are put in place. I am not particularly nervous."

Image source, EPA

Compromising with Syriza over Greece's colossal debts would be very difficult for German politicians, says Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform. Why? "They have failed to explain to the German people that the euro benefits their country enormously, and that some generosity to Greece is a small price to pay for these benefits," he writes on the IPPR think tank website., external

tweets, external: Tsipras's first meeting with a foreign ambassador since being elected Greek PM was with Russia's Andrey Maslov

The German government will offer its help to the future government of Greece. In the past few years Greece has gone to considerable effort to achieve substantial success in its reforms. In our view, it is important that the new government take measures so that the economic recovery continues. A part of that is Greece holding to its prior commitments and that the new government be tied in to the reform's achievements."

Image source, AFP

Finland's Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has ruled out a debt write-off for Greece, but says allowing more time for debt repayments is possible. "We will not extend any debt forgiveness, but we are ready to discuss programme extensions and loan period extensions," he said, quoted by Finnish broadcaster YLE., external Finland, like Germany, has been a strong advocate of budget discipline and austerity in the eurozone.

The French President, Francois Hollande, has invited the new Greek prime minister to visit as soon as possible. In a statement from the Elysee Palace, Mr Hollande said France would "stand by Greece during this important period for its future".

Syriza's victory has been watched closely around Europe, not least in Spain where Podemos, another left-wing, anti-austerity party, hopes to win elections later this year. Party leader Pablo Iglesias, who appeared at Syriza rallies, said: "We believe Syriza's victory in Greece has also proven the failure of austerity policies. Austerity measures have not only caused great social suffering for Greeks, they have also proven to be ineffective."

Image source, Reuters

tweets:, external Extraordinary skies in thunder storm over Athens at the moment. Are the neoliberal gods angry?

These are the papers signed by Mr Tsipras at his swearing-in ceremony.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Immediately after his swearing-in the Syriza leader, Alexis Tsipras, honoured Greek Resistance members shot by the Nazis during World War Two. Mr Tsipras wants Germany to pay war reparations to Greece, as he explained to Paul Mason in this recent Channel 4 blog, external.

This man is Panos Kammenos, leader of the Independent Greeks and Syriza's new coalition partner. Both parties agree that Greece should write off some of its huge debts and roll back some of the austerity cuts. But the similarities end there - the Independent Greeks are social and political conservatives, favouring less immigration and a greater role for the Greek Orthodox Church.

Image source, AFP

Forgiving Greek debt would give Greece a real opportunity to restart its economy, argues Ashoka Mody , externalof the Bruegel economic think-tank in Brussels. "The wrong answers to the Greek test have escalated the stalemate... Greek debt will eventually be written down," he writes.

The financial markets have largely shrugged off Syriza's victory, despite the party's well-publicised opposition to austerity. But Tom Elliott, from the financial advisor deVere Group, told AFP: "Investors can expect Greek-led market volatility for at least six months until a Syriza-led government is better understood."

At 40, Mr Tsipras is the youngest man to become Greek Prime Minister in 150 years.

Image source, AP