New Democracy Wins Big in Greek Elections

New Democracy President Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo source: @kmitsotakis / Twitter

A second election in Greece is expected to be held in late June or early July

The ruling conservative New Democracy party on Sunday secured a commanding win over left-wing Syriza, but not an outright majority to form a government.

With nearly all votes counted in Greece’s general election, the New Democracy party was ahead of its main rival Syriza with some 40.8 percent of the votes, a double-figure lead of 21 percent.

“New Democracy has the approval of the people to govern independently and strongly,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his address to the nation after the electoral victory.

According to the results, New Democracy secured 40.79 percent of votes winning 146 seats in the 300-seat Greek Parliament. Syriza follows with 20.07 percent (71 seats). Socialist PASOK-KINAL garnered 11.46 percent of votes (41 seats), followed by communist KKE with 7.23 percent (26 seats) and nationalist Elliniki Lisi (Greek Solution) with 4.45 percent (16 seats).

A vote map released by the Interior Ministry (shown above, right), shows that all but one of Greece’s electoral districts is coloured in New Democracy blue.

Mitsotakis: The ‘political earthquake’ shows ND can govern alone

New Democracy President Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo source: @kmitsotakis / Twitter

“Without a doubt, the ‘political earthquake’ that occurred today calls on us all to speed up the process for a definitive government solution so our country can have an experienced hand at its helm as soon as possible,” he added, indicating that he will seek a second election hoping to form a government on his own consolidate and without the need for a coalition partner.

A second election is expected to be held in late June or early July.

Tsipras: An ‘extremely negative’ result for Syriza

Syriza’s head, Alexis Tsipras, who was prime minister of Greece during 2015-2019, called Mitsotakis on Sunday night to congratulate him on his victory.

Syriza President Alexis Tsipras. Photo source: @syriza_gr

In a statement, Tsipras said the election result as “extremely negative” for Syriza.

“Battles have both wins and losses. Our collective bodies will convene immediately to evaluate the results… The electoral cycle is not yet over since there will probably be a second round, so we don’t have much time… We must immediately make all the changes needed…” he added.

It is noted that Greek citizens living abroad were also allowed to vote in the country in which they reside.

According to the Interior Ministry, the participation of Greeks living abroad in the 2023 elections reached 79.06 percent.

Source: Greek Interior Ministry

Specifically, out of the total of 22,857 registered in the special foreign electoral rolls, 18,203 voted and 4,654 did not.

The majority of votes cast by Greeks living overseas went to New Democracy.