Tectonic shifts in the political landscape caused by Greece’s economic meltdown have fomented a tacit alliance between Orthodox Church leaders and the secular left-wing SYRIZA party, analysts say.
Poised to win the next parliamentary election, whenever that may take place, SYRIZA chief Alexis Tsipras appears keen to build bridges with the deeply conservative Church, which, controversially for some, remains one of the most influential institutions in the debt-hit country.
In response to SYRIZA’s rise, analysts say, Archbishop Ieronymos wants to establish a platform for discussion with the main opposition, like it has with other parties.
Such rapprochement may come as a surprise considering the two sides’ differences on a series of key issues, including the separation of Church and state – a perennial demand of the liberal faction of Greek society.