Greeks go to polls in historic election
- 9 years ago
Voting is underway in Greece’s historic election, which could bring an anti-bailout party to power.
Leftist Syriza has led opinion polls for months, widening the gap over the centre-right New Democracy party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
A victory for Syriza – which is led by Alexis Tsipras – would produce the first euro zone government openly committed to cancelling the austerity terms of its bailout programme.
The Greek economy last year emerged from recession for the first time in six years and unemployment has begun to drop slightly, but it maybe years before the country recovers.
While Syriza is expected to form the biggest group in parliament, it is unclear whether it will be able to govern alone or have to form a coalition.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT). The first exit poll is expected immediately after voting ends.
Leftist Syriza has led opinion polls for months, widening the gap over the centre-right New Democracy party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
A victory for Syriza – which is led by Alexis Tsipras – would produce the first euro zone government openly committed to cancelling the austerity terms of its bailout programme.
The Greek economy last year emerged from recession for the first time in six years and unemployment has begun to drop slightly, but it maybe years before the country recovers.
While Syriza is expected to form the biggest group in parliament, it is unclear whether it will be able to govern alone or have to form a coalition.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT). The first exit poll is expected immediately after voting ends.