Ballots have opened nationwide in Greece for a critical general election that will determine whether the debt-laden country will complete painful austerity reform or see its eurozone future jeopardized.
Some 9.8 million Greeks began voting at 7am local time on Sunday in what is expected to be a close contest between the pro-bailout New Democracy conservative party and the anti-austerity radical leftist Syriza party that has spooked European leaders.
Pressure has built on the struggling eurozone member over the past week to choose its next government carefully, with the prospect of a loan freeze that would imperil its weakened economy now seen as a real possibility.
European leaders have voiced concern and media in Germany, the eurozone member shouldering most of Greece’s multi-billion EU-IMF bailout, have also weighed in with warnings ahead of the election.
The radical left Syriza’s firebrand leader Alexis Tsipras has vowed to tear up the rescue deal that has given Greece a credit lifeline in exchange for steep budget cuts and says he will renegotiate with creditors from scratch.
New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras wants a more moderate renegotiation of the deal and accuses Tsipras of playing with fire. He has warned that a vote for Tsipras could bring back the drachma currency.
No one party is expected to win enough votes to secure a majority in parliament, and the days to come are likely to be dominated by coalition talks.
Analysts say that New Democracy would find it easier to form a coalition if it wins – although it might struggle to secure a strong majority in parliament.
Syriza would find it harder to form a leftist coalition, analysts say.
Ballots will remain open until 7pm, with exit polls due immediately afterward and the first indicative results expected after 9.30pm local time.
(source: AFP)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
