|
|
Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-09-17
CONTENTS
[01] Karamanlis receives mandate to form new gov't
[01] Karamanlis receives mandate to form new gov't
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis exited the presidential mansion on
Monday with a mandate to form a new Greek government, a day after
voters swept him and ruling New Democracy (ND) back to power in the
Sept. 16 election.
"We are fully aware of our responsibilities towards the people,
regardless of what they voted," Karamanlis said outside the
presidential mansion and after his customary meeting with Greek
President Karolos Papoulias, the head of state assigned the task of
allocating a government mandate.
Ruling New Democracy (ND) party and Karamanlis were easily re-elected
in Sunday's general elections in Greece, while the main opposition
PASOK party slumped and the two leftist parties -- the Communist Party
of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) --
posted a strong showing, nearly doubling their parliamentary seats.
Moreover, the neophyte Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) became the latest
newcomer to the expected five-party parliament that will emerge.
Karamanlis again raised his party's standard of reforms, speaking to
the nation in a televised statement in downtown Athens after ND
clinched its re-election, saying that the outcome of the vote was a
"clear mandate" by the people for his government to carry on with
reforms and changes.
Caption: PM Costas Karamanlis waves to supporters on Sunday evening in
downtown Athens, Sept. 16, 2007. ANA-MPA / S. PANTZARTZI
|