This is the third time that Greeks will go to the ballots this year as they have already voted, once for the general elections that were held in January, and another time for a referendum concerning the negotiations between Greece and its European creditors.
Although the results of the referendum were in accordance with Mr.Tsipra's request for a “no”, thus allowing him to “toughen” his negotiating stance towards the country's creditors the results were hardly desirable. The government had to face a group of negotiators who would not budge an inch, while they did not hesitate to propose the exit of Greece from the Eurozone. As a result, Mr.Tsipras was forced to ask the Greek parliament to legislate for a number of measures which were just as harsh, if not more, as the ones brought by the previous governments. A big chunk of the government MP's left the party and have formed their own anti-memorandum party causing the loss of majority in the parliament.
Given that the announcement of the elections took place in mid-August, a period when most Greeks are away from home on holidays, it is very hard to trust any polls in order to try and get an understanding of the possible outcome.
In the previous months, SYRIZA seemed to have a clear advantage over its' opponents who were struggling with very small numbers but at the time the government was perceived to be negotiating against a memorandum. Having been forced to bring a new one, and more austerity measures, it can no longer continue on that line and what its' previous voters will decide remains to be seen.