Supporters cheer Greece's rising political star, Alexis Tsipras, as he prepares to vote Sunday in a pivotal parliamentary election.

Head of the left-wing Syriza party, Tsipras has become a champion of Greeks frustrated by years of recession and austerity.

He has vowed to tear up a painful bailout deal with Europe - and bring growth back to the country.

(SOUNDBITE)(Greek) SYRIZA LEADER,ALEXIS TSIPRAS, SAYING:

"We beat fear - today we are opening the road to hope. Today we open the road to a better tomorrow with our people united, dignified and proud, for a Greece with social justice and prosperity, that is an equal member of a Europe that's changing."

Rival Antonis Simaris, leader of the New Democracy party, also cast his ballot Sunday.

He backs the bailout and says if it's abadoned, Greece could be forced out of the eurozone.

No party is expected to win the election outright and whoever wins will likely attempt to form a coalition government with smaller parties.

Andrew Raven, Reuters