Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-04-08
CONTENTS
[01] Election Day - Political leaders - Vote
[01] Election Day - Political leaders - Vote
08/04/2000 17:42:29
Greek voters prepared to head to elections booths throughout the
country on Sunday for Parliamentary elections ushering in a new
government.
Incumbent Premier Costas Simitis˘ PASOK party is expected to vie for
the government with main opposition New Democracy party, led by Costas
Karamanlis. A host of several smaller parties ˇ three of which were
represented in Parliament of the last term ˇ will also be on the
ballot. Among the other parties vying for seats in Greece˘s 300-member
Parliament are the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Coalition of
the Left and the Democratic Social Movement.
Simitis is scheduled to vote in a working-class Piraeus district, while
Karamanlis will vote in Thessaloniki. Greek President Kostis
Stephanopoulos will cast his vote in his hometown of Patra, western
Greece.
Outright campaigning and broadcast ads are outlawed the day before the
poll and during election day, thereby giving voters and candidates a
more-or-less quiet and contemplating Saturday to enjoy. Meanwhile, tens
of thousands of residents from both the greater Athens area and
Thessaloniki were continuously heading to the provinces on Saturday in
order to vote in their home districts, as planes, ships and roadways
filled with travelers over the weekend.
No major delays or mishaps were reported at press time.
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