Posted on 09/16/2007 1:34:57 PM PDT by knighthawk
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's ruling conservatives appeared headed on Sunday for a narrow election victory that may complicate economic reform efforts after a campaign overshadowed by deadly forest fires and scandals.
Early official results, which had yet to reflect voting in large urban areas, showed the conservative New Democracy winning about 45 percent of the ballots.
Exit polls earlier showed the ruling party winning a thin parliamentary majority that may make it hard for it to tackle the difficult reforms aimed at bringing the euro zone's second poorest member in line with its partners.
Conservative Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and socialist leader George Papandreou, both heirs to prominent political dynasties, seemed to lose support to smaller parties.
An exit poll by the Kapa Research polling company, conducted for Reuters and To Vima newspaper, showed the ruling New Democracy party winning 41.9 percent of the vote and 152 seats in the 300-seat parliament.
In its 2004 landslide victory, which ended 11 years of socialist rule, New Democracy won 45.36 percent of the vote and 165 seats in the house.
"We won, we won," said Thanassis Papasotiriou, 38, an IT expert, as he bought a party flag from a stand in central Athens. "But we have to think about how we can win back the voters we lost. We have to show that we got the message."
With about 10 percent of ballots counted the Socialist PASOK party was in second place with 38.64 percent of the vote. The exit poll, which has a 1 percent margin of error, showed it winning 38.4 percent and 103 seats in parliament. PASOK won 40.55 percent of the vote and 117 seats in 2004.
CELEBRATIONS START
Although official results were still far from conclusive, New Democracy supporters were clogging Athens, honking horns and waving party flags.
"We got another four years and that's what matters," said housewife Maria Kanelopoulou, 49, as she joined thousands celebrating in central Athens Syndagma square.
Political analysts said PASOK appeared unable to capitalise on the government's woes, with many voters not ready to forgive the socialists for their own scandals while in power.
Smaller parties were seen getting a substantial boost, with the far-right LA.O.S, entering parliament for the first time.
"The recent events, the ecological and human disaster, turned voters even more towards smaller parties," said Kapa Research consultant Gerasimos Moschonas. "The crucial political point is whether there will be a parliamentary majority. Based on the exit polls there will be, but it may be marginal."
The election was seen as key for the pace of economic reforms such as unpopular privatisations and shoring up an ailing pension system. Some analysts said the conservatives' majority may be too thin to pursue difficult reforms ahead.
"The good news is that New Democracy is the party that will continue its supply side economic reforms at least to a larger extent than the opposition would have," said Theodor Schonebeck, an economic Deutsche Bank. "But it's not a very comfortable majority, which makes it a little difficult."
Karamanlis called the early vote confident he could secure an easy victory, but criticism of the government's response to the forest fires which killed 65 people in August and a series of scandals appeared to have eroded support.
The nephew of the late statesman Constantine Karamanlis, he has cut deficits and created 200,000 jobs but unemployment remains above the EU average despite a healthy 4.4 percent GDP growth rate this year.
(Additional reporting by the Athens bureau)
Reuters (IDS)
Ping
My Greek friend is one of the most rabid liberals I’ve ever met. I’m sure this will piss her off.
LOL just in time for the left to “fix our reputation with Europe,” Europe steps to the right. Sooner or later someone will point that out to the RAT wannabees and the deer-in-the-headlights look will be priceless.
What kind of political animal is a conservative in Greece?
The world takes another step to the ‘right’. This is great news!
The komrades over at DUmmarxist Underground must be having hissy fits over this. I remember their hissy fits when the Conservatives won in France last year.
They stole the election, quick someone get Carter on the red phone.
I hope this explanation is simple enough for the average FR subscriber to comprehend .
Speaking as the 1st born of Greek Immigrant parents — I was shocked every time I visited the “Birthplace of Democracy”...
Socialism has taken root - and has had it’s long term effect.
If not for tourism - Greece would be an even worse basket case.
Once the Socialist/Communists/Marxists/Greens/Reds screwed up Greece after decades of influence — the “Conservatives” have little hope of making significant improvement...
I could have sworn I read this morning according to their latest poll the conservative were going to lose the election. HA, another poll bites the dust!!!
Actually remind her that the majority voted for conservative parties of various sizes.
Also remind her the leader of the Socialists is called the “Amerikanaki” (little american) because he was born and educated in the USA and has his job because of his name. (father was the leader of the socialists)
With 61.2% of votes counted, 156 seats
ND majority government
With 61.2% of the votes counted, ND party is in the lead with 43.4% and 156 seats in the Parliament. PASOK follows with 38.5% and 103 seats, the GCP with 7.5% and 20 seats, SYRIZA with 4.4% and 12 seats and fifth place LAOS with 3.5% and 9 seats
Socialist are deeply saddened.
concession speech now given from Passok. (socialists)
He is calling it a tradgedy that the voters voted the way they did.
Socialist leader just called his party a true “european” party. (those who don’t want a loss of national identity are not going to like that)
Watching the satelite on this.
fyi over 170 seperate flashpoints were started for the recent fires (if you go to you tube you can see videos of the fires and there is an american group doing charity work directly to the people. Americans of Greek decent, NOT the red cross or the church)
Many of the fires were probably started by leftists trying to election engineer a disaster.
Closser to the american conservative.
Keep in mind they do have full blown socialists and communist parties over there.
So the definition is a bit easier.
You have to see their country as a SMALL state of the USA. (one time zone, only 11 million people)
Conservatives have 155 seats of 300 with 75% of vote in.
151 is needed for an outright parlementary majority.
It is. We have had some inexplicable articles about other European species of conservative that makes them kind of hard to classify except they aren’t like American Conservatives.
I would factor the Greeks as more pure on the left right that we understand.
That said the differences between conservatives here and then are more about the fact that they are a tiny nation and their view is often that of a mouse in a room with two giants duking it out over some issue.
(iow self preservtion)
Right now Greek Satelite TV is interviewing the losers. The are giving the IDENTICAL “fear for the country” BS that democrats (our socialists) give when they lose an election
Socialism seems to be socialism wherever it goes.
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