While Greece's under-fire government is still reeling from their failure to negotiate a deal that removes austerity, there seems to be plenty of support for the cause, with solidarity movements held in many other European countries.
Spain's Move to the Left
In Spain, which has also suffered horrifically from EU imposed austerity measures, the country's left-wing Podemos party has, like Syriza, attracted significant public support.
Vouching a similar anti-austerity message, Podemos — which means 'we can' in English — was earlier this year considered to be the most popular party in Spain, with polls suggesting the group had the support of 30 percent of the electorate.
Despite a recent drop in support, however, the potential of Podemos' popularity was demonstrated in January, when hundreds of thousands of Spaniards marched through the streets of Madrid in solidarity with the party.
On top of the support for Podemos, the resurgence of the left was demonstrated through the election of left-leaning mayors in Spain's three biggest cities — Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
The shift in public support towards the political left in Spain has been seen as a direct reaction to the austerity measures imposed on the country, with the country's economy and society suffering badly as a result of such measures.
Despite a recent improvement in Spain's economic statistics, more than 23 percent of Spaniards are unemployed, while the youth unemployment rate stands at 49.3 percent, leading to criticism that the country's positive economic figures aren't translating into real results, and that austerity is continuing to have a devastating impact on the country.
A Socialist Britain?
While not grabbing the international headlines to the same extent as counterparts in Spain and Greece, Britain's left-wing movement has also experienced a recent increase in support, but this time in the form of a traditional political party.
Many in the UK were surprised, and some even shocked, to read that socialist politician and ardent anti-austerity campaigner Jeremy Corbyn was the favorite to become Labour leader, Britain's major opposition party.
Campaigning on the back of a clear anti-austerity platform, Corbyn has surprised many with his levels of support, with a recent poll suggesting 43 percent of Labour party members would vote for the veteran MP as their first preference in the party's upcoming leadership ballot.
The people of Greece have spoken, austerity has failed them and Europe must recognise this and end the human suffering.
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) July 5, 2015
The study concluded that the 66-year-old would win Labour's leadership, according to current statistics and figures.
Brilliant atmosphere at Barnet UNISON today. Defending public services and jobs! pic.twitter.com/ptFHrjpCWD
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) July 8, 2015
And while the reality of Corbyn becoming the next Labour leader is still some way off, the possibility of him someday maybe even being Britain's next Prime Minister considered laughable by the country's political establishment, his surge in support has highlighted the large anti-austerity rhetoric in Britain — exemplifying its spread throughout Europe.
Although the European political elite claimed victory over Greece in Athens' quest to abolish austerity, the increasing groundswell of support for opposition movements in countries such as Greece, Spain and the UK has led many to pose the question of whether we are seeing the beginnings of a left-wing revolution, and a change of the guard in EU politics.
