The high turnout for Greece’s main opposition party SYRIZA has caught the attention of the foreign media, which declare a draw in Sunday’s municipal and provincial elections that leaves unfinished business for the next round in six days’ time
“Greece’s two-party coalition government emerged bruised from the first round of local elections on Sunday after candidates from the radical left opposition posted strong showings in at least two key constituencies, ensuring them a place in next week’s second-round vote,” wrote the Wall Street Journal.
“The first round of local and regional elections in Greece ended yesterday with no single party securing enough support to declare a decisive victory,” Bloomberg reported.
Newswire Associated Press pointed out that the results are partial. “Attica, one of the main prizes, is the only one of Greece’s 13 regions which SYRIZA has hopes of capturing in next Sunday’s runoff,” adding: “This is a disappointment for SYRIZA, which has run on the slogan “three ballot boxes, one vote,” meaning the municipal, provincial and European elections. The opposition now hopes that the European election will provide a clearer protest vote against the government and that this will carry over to local contests.”
French newspaper Liberation claims that there was a tough battle between left and right-wing parties while the Austrian Der Standard commented on the high percentages of SYRIZA, reporting that over 20% of Greeks voted for the opposition.
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