Greece is the cradle of Western civilization: arguably, democracy was born there. And Classical Greece's contribution to Western culture and science is difficult to underestimate.  It is remarkable that all this influence did not entail any kind of violence or imperialism. Therefore, Greece has a great interest (at least symbolic) for the Western world.

Next year (in Spring, I think) Greece will hold elections for presidency of the Republic. It is my understanding that those election may lead to general elections. **What conditions have to be meet for this to happen? How likely is it?**

Note that Syriza won in the past elections for the European Parliament, so that it would not be unlikely that this party replace the conservative party in the Government. Syriza is a somewhat new left-wing party. I would label it as a real social-democrat party, not to be confused with those parties in Europe that are self-denominated social-democrats. On their left there is a communist party. If Syriza reached the Government, it would be a big event in Europe, at least in a symbolic way. It would mean the first breaking of a de facto two-party political system in many countries of Southern Europe.


Side note: I am not Greek, nor do I have ever lived in Greece.