Greek opposition leader says he would swiftly axe bailout

Alexis Tsipras, leader of Greece's far-left Syriza party listens to Greek President Karolos Papoulias (not pictured) during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Athens November 3, 2014. REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek opposition leader Alexis Tsipras promised on Tuesday that if elected, he would swiftly scrap the country's EU/IMF bailout without waiting for the outcome of talks with lenders.

Tsipras' pledge contrasted with the conservative government's plan to seek a negotiated exit from the unpopular 240 billion euro (190 billion pounds) bailout programme, which has required years of austerity including deep wage cuts.