"We have an uphill road ahead," Tsipras told President Karolos Papoulias just before being sworn in as prime minister in a ceremony that eschewed the traditional oath on a Bible and blessing with basil and water. Tsipras met Greece's Archbishop Ieronymos to say he planned to take a non-religious oath.

"Thank you Dr" was the laconic and  humorous answer that Alexis Tsipras offered through his account on twitter.

"Today, Potami is the third democratic power in the country. This is a victory of society. Without money, without protectors, without agreements with vested interests and unions, we achieved the unachievable: to enter Parliament with 16 lawmakers," Theodorakis told journalists, commenting on the electoral results of his party.