Greek PM Resigns, Will Run For Reelection In September Vote

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced during a televised address on Thursday that he will resign his post and call for a national election to be held within a month. The most likely election date is Sept. 20, according to Greek press reports citing government sources. Tsipras will now lead Greeks to the polls for the second time since he was elected on Jan. 25. He previously called for the July 5 referendum that resulted in a "no" vote on an austerity-reform package proposed by Greece's international creditors. In the address, Tsipras said he called the election because he is seeking a "clear mandate for a strong government." He said he had a "moral and political obligation" to let voters decide who should be the person leading the country in this "new hopeful era." Tsipras has been facing a rift within his own party over the country's latest bailout deal, which was approved by the Greek parliament last week after marathon debates. The deal came into effect on Thursday, granting Greece the necessary financing to meet a deadline to repay 3.4 billion euros ($3.8 billion) to the European Central Bank.