Greek election: Anti-austerity Syriza battles New Democracy

he BBC's Mark Lowen went to a polling station at a primary school in Athens

Greeks are voting in a general election which could result in Greece trying to renegotiate the terms of its bailout with international lenders.

The leader of the left-wing Syriza party, Alexis Tsipras, has pledged to write off Greece's huge debt and revoke austerity measures.

However, the current conservative prime minister, Antonis Samaras, says the austerity measures are working.

He has urged voters not to take Greece to the brink of catastrophe.

Greece has endured tough budget cuts in return for its bailout, negotiated with the European Union, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB).

The economy has shrunk drastically since the 2008 global financial crisis, and increasing unemployment has thrown many Greeks into poverty.

Nearly 10 million people are eligible to cast their votes

Syriza leader Alexist Tsipras says he will restore "dignity" to Greece by reversing cuts

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras says Syriza's policies risk forcing Greece to exit the euro

Polls across Greece opened at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) and will close at 19:00.

There are nearly 10 million eligible voters, who are electing the country's 300-member parliament.

The first exit polls are expected immediately after the voting ends.

'Austerity over'

After casting his vote, Syriza leader Alexist Tsipras told the BBC that "the vicious circle of austerity is over".

He has said his party would restore "dignity" to Greece by rolling back cuts to jobs, pay and pensions which have hurt millions of people across the country.

The possibility of a Syriza victory has sparked fears that Greece could default on its debt and leave the euro - the single currency of 19 EU members.

This is despite the fact that Syriza has moderated its stance since the peak of the eurozone crisis, and says it wants Greece to stay a member of the currency.

Meanwhile, as he voted, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said Greeks would be taking a risk by opting for Syriza.

"Today we decide if are going forward or if we are going towards the unknown," he said. "I am optimistic because I believe that nobody will put in danger the European course of our country."

In his final campaign speech, Mr Samaras said Syriza's policies risked forcing the country to exit the euro. He has also warned that Greece could miss out on a massive programme of quantitative easingunveiled by the ECB last week to help stimulate the eurozone economy.

The centrist To Potami party and the far-right Golden Dawn party are expected to fight for third place in the elections.

Greek economy in numbers

• Average wage is €600 (£450: $690) a month
• Unemployment is at 25%, with youth unemployment almost 50%
• Economy has shrunk by 25% since the start of the eurozone crisis
• Country's debt is 175% of GDP
• Borrowed €240bn (£188bn) from the EU, the ECB and the IMF

Are you in Greece? What issues have shaped this election? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30971612