Right-wing Kyriakos Mitsotakis is very much in the lead, and Syriza is in distress – Tahrir

The Greek left is sinking. The New Democracy (ND) party, which held power from 2019 until the end of May, won the legislative elections with 40.4% of the vote, ahead of the left-wing Syriza party of Alexis Tsipras who got 17.8% of the vote, according to partial results. Carrying in 30% of polling stations. Eight parties have crossed the 3% threshold to enter Greece’s 300-seat unicameral parliament, according to these polls. Among them is the far-right party Spartans, supported by the former executive director of the neo-Nazi formation Golden Dawn, Elias Kasidiaris, who is currently serving a heavy prison sentence.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, overjoyed at his victory, gives him a hand “strong mandate”. Head of government from 2019 until the end of May, he scored a big win five weeks ago by winning 40.79% of the vote. Syriza weakness. However, this progress did not bring him the absolute majority required to form a government without having to form an alliance. The ND leader has ruled out forming a coalition and called for a new election, relying on a voting system that this time gives the party that comes out on top a “bonus” of up to 50 seats. In fact, this election could secure 157 seats out of 300 in Greece’s unicameral parliament, according to analysts.

Thus, Alexis Tsipras suffers another heavy defeat after a stinging setback five weeks ago when Syriza fell to 20.07% of the vote, down more than 11.5 points compared to 2019. The question of his future at the head of the party must now be raised openly. After the defeat of May 21, the former prime minister (2015-2019) and troublemaker of the radical left in Europe admitted that he considered resigning.

Outside his polling station in Athens on Sunday, Kyriakos Mitsotakis claimed that Greeks were voting “For a stable and effective government” for the next four years. For his part, Alexis Tsipras warned against a “uncensored government” In the event of a major victory for the right claimed “Balance in our democracy and political system” with “strong opposition” able to play its role.

Two potential hurdles could arise for Kyriakos Mitsotakis. On the other hand, the potential fatigue of the voters, twice called to the polls in five weeks. On the other hand, votes fell apart, especially on the conservative right as three small formations contested the votes of far-right supporters and nationalists. However, the number of parties represented will have arithmetical consequences on the number of seats allocated to New Democracy. It even raised the specter of … a third ballot in August, when most Greeks take their holidays.

In recent days, he called on the Greeks to give him a large majority. By distancing themselves largely from Syriza, the Greeks have already shown that they certainly want to turn the page on years of bitter financial crisis and bailouts under dire circumstances that have impoverished them greatly.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also continued to brandish his economic record, which was marked by a recovery in growth, to 5.9% in 2022, and a decline in unemployment after the last decade of crisis. During the campaign, the 55-year-old Harvard graduate promised higher wages, especially for low-income earners, the main concern for Greeks struggling with the high cost of living.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis has also pledged massive hiring in the public health sector, which has suffered from a severe shortage of resources since the financial crisis and strict slimming treatments imposed in many public services.