Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said he is placing the actions of his government at the judgment of the Greek people as he announced his resignation and national elections for September, in a televised statement on Thursday night. The premier said he has a clear conscience and asked voters for a clear mandate.

Greek President of the Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos gave a mandate to main opposition leader Vangelis Meimarakis to form a government, late on Thursday night, following the resignation of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras after a televised statement in which he asked Greeks to give him a clear mandate in national elections.

Rating’s agency Moody’s, who recently upgraded Greece’s credit rating on three days ago, say Thursday’s election announcement with throw the implementation and disbursement of a new programme at risk.

Panagiotis Lafazanis, along with other 24 former MPs of SYRIZA, formed a new parliamentary group, named “Popular Unity”.