Front-runner says win would start leftist change

The Greek left-wing leader who is ahead in polls before upcoming elections has said his party's victory would start "necessary change" in Europe and stressed he would end austerity policies.

Alexis Tsipras, head of the Syriza party, said on Saturday in a speech in Athens ahead of Jan 25 polls that "necessary change in Europe begins here, in Greece".

Greece's Parliament was dissolved on Wednesday after the assembly failed to agree on a successor to outgoing President Karolos Papoulias.