Election in Greece: Mitsotakis' party finished ahead
Mitsotakis announced that he would work for the second elections, which will grant at least 20 additional seats to the first party in parliament, so that his party New Democracy can come to power alone. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, regarding his party New Democracy coming first in the general elections in his country, signaled that the people wanted a strong government that would remain in power for four years, and that they would go to the polls again. According to the first unofficial results of the elections in Greece, New Democracy is leading the race with over 40 percent of the vote, while Mitsotakis made an assessment of the election results. Mitsotakis thanked the people for the great support they have shown him and his party, and said, "Our people have shown with their votes that they know the important steps our country has taken in these four years." Mitsotakis commented that according to the ballot box results, hope had triumphed over pessimism and unity over division, and said, "The ballot box results proved that New Democracy has the approval of the people to be able to come to power on its own. The voters wanted this clearly today, but they also wanted something else from us. To run faster on the path of progress and bold reforms." Expressing his emotion and pride, Mitsotakis emphasized that he felt the weight of responsibility that such a large vote share placed on him. Promising to work harder to be worthy of the people's trust, Mitsotakis said, "The message of the results is very clear. The citizens want a strong government for a four-year term. With bolder reforms so that we can quickly close the gap that still keeps us apart from Europe." Addressing the crowd gathered in front of his party's headquarters, Mitsotakis said, "We will fight together, starting tomorrow and continuing until the next elections. The people have already decided on this. Let New Democracy's single-party rule be mathematically confirmed at the ballot box." Mitsotakis continued his words as follows: "Today, let's allow ourselves to relax a little, to celebrate this victory as we deserve. It is the victory of a brighter Greece, as opposed to the gray Greece that some are trying to portray. In other words, a lot of work awaits us starting tomorrow. We will move forward steadily and courageously in order to complete the first step we took today and to be the ultimate winner and continue the important work we have undertaken." - According to unofficial results, New Democracy is ahead According to unofficial results from the Greek Ministry of the Interior, the New Democracy party, led by Mitsotakis, has over 40 percent of the vote. The main opposition Radical Left Alliance (SYRIZA) is following New Democracy with around 20 percent of the vote. According to the new election system, a second time going to the polls is possible According to the election system implemented for the first time in Greece this year, if the results from the ballot box do not allow any party to come to power alone, talks for a coalition will be held. If a coalition agreement cannot be reached, voters will be given a second ballot box. In the second ballot box, the party that comes first will be given an extra 20 seats in the 300-seat parliament, provided that it receives at least 25 percent of the vote. The number of extra seats increases by one for every 0.5 percent that the vote rate exceeds 25 percent. According to unofficial results, New Democracy, which has over 140 seats in parliament, is expected to exceed 160 seats and become a single-party government if it receives the same percentage of votes in the second ballot box.