We are ready to rule!

The message to Greece from Alexis Tsipras and his anti-bailout Syriza party – extending its lead in opinion polls less than a week before a general election.

It has set alarm bells ringing in Europe with left-wing Syriza pledging to negotiate a debt reduction and an end to budget austerity – though it insists it is committed to keeping Greece in the euro zone.

“Europe should not be afraid of parties like Syriza,” said party spokesman Panos Skourletis.