Greek economy grew by 0.9% in second quarter

Greece's economy grew by 0.9 percent in the second quarter, official date showed Friday, improving on the 0.8 percent figure reported in a flash estimate earlier in August.

"Seasonally adjusted data indicate that in the second quarter of 2015 (output) increased by 0.9 percent compared with the first quarter of 2015 against the increase of 0.8 percent that was calculated for the flash estimate," the state statistics agency said, as the country headed for early elections next month.

In the first quarter, the economy grew by 0.1 percent, the agency said, also revising upward its previous estimate of zero growth released on August 13.

The figures have come as a surprise as the period in question was marked by fraught talks between Greece and its international creditors that raised fears of a possible Greek exit from the eurozone.

Greece on Friday appointed a caretaker government to hold elections expected on September 20, its fifth in six years.

Leftist leader Alexis Tsipras is seeking re-election, pledging to soften the blow of an unpopular third bailout that his administration approved in July, splitting his Syriza party.