Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-09-16

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] ND, Karamanlis swept back to power; PASOK slumps as smaller parties soar

[02] Papandreou to request renewal of leadership

[03] KKE leader points to party's improved showing

[04] SYRIZA's Alavanos hails election result for party

[05] LA.OS leader thanks voters

[01] ND, Karamanlis swept back to power; PASOK slumps as smaller parties soar

Speaking in a brief nationally televised address from the Zappeion Hall in downtown Athens after midnight, Karamanlis again used the leitmotif of "reforms", saying the people have provided him and his government with a clear mandate for a "new, more dynamic beginning".

Karamanlis added that he feels a "double responsibility" for making his government better and avoiding mistakes in the future; one that is more effective and closer to the citizens.

Less than a month after the devastating wildfires, a re-elected Karamanlis said all of the government's commitments towards the fire-ravaged areas and individuals will be met, while he insisted on adhering to a moderate political climate and avoidance of extremism and divisiveness.

"I would like to thank you (voters) for your trust. Today, you spoke and spoke clearly and loudly. You chose the path that the country will follow in the coming years ⦠You gave a clear mandate to ND to continue with changes and reforms that the country needs; a mandate for a new and dynamic beginning⦠I ask you to vote for stable government. This government now exists, it is the one backed by a social majority with a strong political volition, one accountable to its commitments," he said.

Additionally, Karamanlis said his government will emphasise efforts to fight poverty and maintain a stable economy.

With more than two-thirds (88.93 percent) of the vote counted in Greece's general election on Sunday at approximately 3 a.m. in the early morning hours on Monday, ruling New Democracy (ND) was leading with 42.47 percent to main opposition PASOK's 38.33 percent. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was recorded at 7.81 percent; the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) 4.80 percent and the currently out-of-Parliament Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) party 3.64.

If the current percentages stand, ND will field 154 seats in the next 300-MP Parliament; PASOK will hold 102; 21 for KKE; 13 for SYRIZA and 10 for LA.OS.

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis along with his wife Natasa appear on a balcony at ruling New Democracy (ND) party's downtown Athens headquarters on Sunday evening, Sept. 16, 2007, to celebrate the party's election victory. ANA-MPA/ S. PANTZARTZI.

[02] Papandreou to request renewal of leadership

Addressing a post-election press conference, Papandreou admitted that the message received from voters in Sunday's general elections was that the "people consider that we also share responsibilities for the situation prevailing in the country."

He said the election was "unfavorable" for PASOK, which "faces a crucial turning point", adding: "We will evaluate the people's message ... We waged our battle, but we have not managed to win ... we all took part in it, we all had a role to play and responsibilities to share, foremost of all, I myself."

"The broad democratic and progressive party needs deep reforms and fights for a just society," he said, adding: "We are not all the same and it would be good to prove it through positions, practices, self-criticism and high moral standard."

[03] KKE leader points to party's improved showing

Addressing reporters in the early morning hours of Monday, Papariga said her party was on an upward course, adding that voters who "made a bold step in voting for the first time for KKE were many", while adding that Communists should not be swept away by the result.

"The two mainstream parties still maintain high percentages, which however, are not in accordance with popular dissatisfaction," she said.

The KKE leader said her party would be on the workers' side to "prevent ant-popular measures that the government will present," adding that KKE would not disappoint young voters.

[04] SYRIZA's Alavanos hails election result for party

"The radical left has recorded one of its best performances in its history since the return to democracy in 1974," he said, adding that his party's vote tally was "steadfastly increasing".

SYRIZA's electoral success "is important because it constitutes an element of a new political landscape, characterised by a strong message for turning towards the forces of the Left, by a particular decrease in the two mainstream parties' forces and by a government which while it conserves majority is nevertheless fragile against a strong social movement," Alavanos said.

Thanking voters who expressed support for his party, the SYRIZA leader promised to fight against "any anti-social policy emanating from a popular minority government," and to work for a "broad left covering the void that the main opposition party leaves after its adherence to the policies of the establishment."

[05] LA.OS leader thanks voters

With two-thirds (67.66 percent) of the vote counted in Greece's general election on Sunday at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the early morning hours on Monday, ruling New Democracy (ND) was leading with 43.24 percent to main opposition PASOK's 38.48 percent. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was recorded at 7.51 percent; the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) 4.51 percent and the currently out-of-Parliament Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) party 3.48.

If the current percentages stand, ND will field 156 seats in the next 300-MP Parliament; PASOK will hold 103; 20 for KKE; 12 for SYRIZA and nine for LA.OS.

"The ballot box imposed seriousness and not arrogance," Karatzaferis said in a brief statement to reporters adding that he would "stand by the side" of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis "in whatever positive" and against "in whatever grey".

"Our role is to keep Greece for Greeks," the LA.OS president said.

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