The conservative party of Nea Dimokratia triumphs in Greece and achieves the goal of an absolute majority. With 90% of the votes counted by now, the outgoing conservative prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis collects 40.52% of the votes and 158 of the 300 seats that make up Parliament.
His main political rival, the left-wing Syriza party led by Alexis Tsipras, instead stops at 17.84%, gaining 47 seats.
«I strongly feel my duty towards the country – commented Mitsotakis hotly -. I will be the premier of all the Greeks, the great reforms will proceed rapidly".
The citizens summoned to the polls confirmed the verdict already issued in the elections of 21 May, when the conservatives had won with 40% of the votes, doubling Syriza's party, stopped at 20. But the vote was held with an electoral system different, a pure proportional representation that had caused the Conservatives to lack an absolute majority by a few seats. Thus Mitsotakis - counting on the majority premium for the first party foreseen by the new electoral law approved by himself - had decided not to undertake talks to form a coalition and had paved the way for a return to the polls. A gamble that ultimately paid off, despite the fact that the turnout has collapsed compared to May.
The presence of the extreme right in Parliament is also strengthening : the "Spartani" party (Spartiates in Greek) has exceeded the threshold obtaining, according to data that is not yet definitive, 4.71% and 13 seats. An incredible achievement if one considers that the party was unknown until a few days ago, when it received the support of former Golden Dawn member Ilias Kasidiaris, currently in prison, where he is serving a 13-year sentence for having participated in a criminal association, i.e. the now dissolved neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party.
"After a long time, a nationalist voice will be in Parliament," exulted party chairman Vassilis Stigas. The "Niki" party (victory in Greek) also exceeds the threshold for the first time, which would obtain 3.73% . Led by a theology teacher, the party has made itself known for its xenophobic positions and is considered close to the conservative fringe of the Orthodox Church. Finally, another far-right formation known for its anti-migrant positions, "Greek Solution", also confirms its presence in Parliament. Mera25, the party founded by former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, is out.
(Unioneonline/D)