Greek PMs conservative party wins big in election, sets sights on outright majority
Prime Minister Mitsotakis touts Greece as a new energy hub in address to Congress
Jubilant New Democracy supporters massed outside party headquarters in Athens, cheering and waving party flags.
A second election, likely to be held in late June or early July, would be conducted under a new electoral law that gives bonus seats to the winning party, making it easier for it to form a government on its own.
Sundays election was Greeces first since its economy ceased being under strict supervision by international lenders who had provided bailout funds during the countrys nearly decadelong financial crisis.
Syriza head Alexis Tsipras, 48, served as prime minister during some of the most tumultuous years of the crisis, and has struggled to regain the wide support he enjoyed when he was swept to power in 2015 on a promise of reversing bailout-imposed austerity measures.
He called Mitsotakis on Sunday night to congratulate him on his victory.
The result is exceptionally negative for Syriza, Tsipras said in initial statements after his partys dramatic defeat became clear. Fights have winners and losers.
Tsipras said his party would gather to examine the results and how they came about. However, the electoral cycle is not yet over, he said. We dont have the luxury of time. We must immediately carry out all the changes that are needed so we can fight the next crucial and final electoral battle with the best terms possible.
As the massive gap between the first two parties became apparent, Syriza supporters expressed dismay.
I am very sorry about the terrible state of these people (who voted for New Democracy), said Syriza supporter Georgi Koulouri, standing near a Syriza campaign kiosk in central Athens. People who understand their position the poverty and the misery that they have been put into and still vote for them, they deserve what they get.
Mitsotakis, a 55-year-old Harvard-educated former banking executive, won elections in 2019 on a promise of business-oriented reforms and has vowed to continue tax cuts, boost investments and bolster middle class employment.
A steady lead he had enjoyed in opinion polls in the runup to the election slid following a Feb. 28 rail disaster that killed 57 people. Authorities said an intercity passenger train was accidentally put on the same rail line as an oncoming freight train, and it later was revealed that train stations were poorly staffed and safety infrastructure broken and outdated.
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Monday, May 22, 2023 at 12:25 am