Greek elections: Mitsotakis’ New Democracy set for big win but majority unlikely

·

Incumbent Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative New Democracy has won a landslide election victory on Sunday, but without enough parliamentary seats to form a government.

With more than half the votes counted, conservative New Democracy took a commanding lead of 40.9% (up from 39.9% in the 2019 election), trouncing SYRIZA at 20.1% (down from 31.53% in 2019).

But due to the current electoral system of proportional representation, Mitsotakis’ 40% vote share is still not enough to secure a majority of the 300 seats in parliament, meaning he would either have to seek a coalition partner from a smaller party, or head to a second election.

In a victory speech on Sunday night, Mitsotakis said the result showed that Greeks had given his party a mandate for a four-year government.

“The people wanted the choice of a Greece run by a majority government and by New Democracy without the help of others,” he said in the victory speech.

While Mitsotakis could form a coalition government with PASOK or Elliniki Lysi, his speech indicated he will seek a second election hoping to consolidate his victory without need of a coalition partner.

A new vote, likely to be held on June 25 or July 2, will be held with a new electoral law which gives bonus seats to the winning party, making it easier for it to form a government on its own.

Voting map from the Greek Ministry of Interior.

In response to the election results, SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras said they were “extremely negative.”

“I called [Kyriakos] Mitsotakis to congratulate him. Battles have both wins and losses. Our collective [party] bodies will convene immediately to assess the results. There will be another battle. We must immediately make all the changes that are needed,” he said from SYRIZA headquarters.

For his part, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis said his party could surpass SYRIZA in the near future, having won 11.58% of the vote this year, up from 8.10% in 2019.

KKE had also a better result, 7,18% from 5,30% in 2019. Far right party, Elliniki Lysi, is again in the parliament with 4,46% instead 3,70% in 2019. Varoufakis’ Mera25 party is out.

Source: Ekathimerini, AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kalamata and Australia reaffirm historic bond through Steve Georganas MP’s visit

The Mayor of Kalamata, Thanasis Vasilopoulos, recently met with Australian Federal MP Steve Georganas this week.

Five detained in Athens over murder of US professor amid custody dispute

Greek authorities have detained five individuals, including the ex-wife of professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski in connection with his murder.

Greece braces for economic impact from Trump’s proposed tariffs

Greece is among the European countries most exposed to US President Donald Trump’s proposed 30% tariffs on imports.

Kimberly Guilfoyle’s nomination for US Ambassador to Greece advances to full Senate

Kimberly Guilfoyle’s nomination to serve as US Ambassador to Greece has won approval from Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin threatens legal action over octopus dispute

The Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin is threatening legal action against the NT Government following a food safety dispute over octopus.

You May Also Like

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles sends message ahead of Orthodox Easter

The Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles MP, has sent a message for Orthodox Easter.

TV doctor Michael Mosley’s body to be repatriated from Greece

The body of TV doctor Michael Mosley is likely to be released to his family and repatriated by the weekend.

Maria Sakkari storms into the Australian Open fourth round

Fifth seed Sakkari has made it through to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the second time after brushing aside Russia’s Veronika...