Greek conservatives win general elections, no parliamentary majority

The Greek conservative New Democracy (ND) party won Sunday's critical general elections that could decide the debt-laden country's economic fate, but fell far short of a parliamentary majority, according to the final official results released Monday. Pro-bailout ND was placed first with 18.85 percent of the vote and 108 seats in the 300-member strong new legislature, outgoing Parliament Speaker Philippos Petsalnikos announced. On Monday, ND leader Antonis Samaras is due to receive a three-day exploratory mandate by Greek President Karolos Papoulias to form a coalition government. Petsalnikos made the announcement upon his exit from the Presidential Mansion in Athens, where he formally informed the President of the final outcome that showed the Radical Left SYRIZA coalition finishing second with 16.78 percent and 52 seats. It was a major setback for the socialist PASOK party that dropped to a record low 13.18 percent, garnering 41 seats. ND had won 33.5 percent at the 2009 general polls, PASOK 44 percent and SYRIZA 5.4 percent. Outgoing Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, the technocrat who headed the ND-PASOK interim coalition administration since November, will hand the Greek president his resignation. But according to Greek national broadcaster NET, he is expected to be asked to carry on with his duties as a transitional premier until the new administration is formed. According to the final results of the Interior Ministry, a record high abstention of 35 percent was the top "winner" of the polls that sent a total of seven parties to the next parliament. The abstention has been attributed to the disillusionment of many Greeks with parties over their handling of the debt crisis that since late 2009 has threatened to throw Greece into a disorderly default that could put an end to its euro zone membership and perhaps the euro itself, some analysts fear. With the exception of traditionally strong parties such as ND and PASOK that support harsh austerity measures imposed by international creditors, most new parties that made it into the new chamber denounce it. The nationalist Independent Greeks garnered 10.6 percent and 33 seats, the Communist Party (KKE) 8.48 percent and 26 seats, the neo-Nazi Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) made its debut at the assembly with 6.97 percent and 21 seats, and the Democratic Left 6.1 percent and 19 seats. Voters frustrated with record high unemployment, recession and salary cuts have voted into parliament a strong anti-austerity bloc of parties. This makes it difficult for Samaras to find partners for the pro-European national unity coalition he targets, according to local analysts. He is expected to hold a first round of talks with SYRIZA coalition leader Alexis Tsipras and PASOK chief Evangelos Venizelos by Monday evening, starting the ten-day search for a coalition government. He has indicated he will hold talks with all parliamentary parties except Golden Dawn. According to the Greek Constitution, if Samaras fails, the exploratory mandate is handed to the second and then the third party. If all efforts fail, the president summons all party leaders in a final attempt, before calling a second round of elections that could be held mid-June, according to Greek media reports. As Greece faces continuing pressure from international creditors to meet commitments under the bailout deal in the next few weeks and months, amidst uncertainty whether a new government will change course, fears of a possible Greek disorderly default and exit from the eurozone have increased.