The cost of living and financial stability were dominant issues in the polls on Sunday, with the New Democracy party highlighting its track record in the economy…reports Asian Lite News
Greece’s conservative New Democracy party chief Kyriakos Mitsotakis secured a clear parliamentary majority, winning a second four-year term as Prime Minister of Greece on Sunday, CNN reported. The 55-year-old leader emerged victorious with more power as his party achieved a resounding victory in the elections.
Mitsotakis, in his victory speech, stated, “We have high targets that will transform Greece…Today we will celebrate our victory, tomorrow we will roll up our sleeves,” according to CNN.
Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party received over 40 percent of the vote, securing at least 158 seats in the 300-seat parliament with around 96 percent of the votes counted. The main leftist opposition party, Syriza, was far behind in the early results, receiving over 17 percent of the vote.
The cost of living and financial stability were dominant issues in the polls on Sunday, with the New Democracy party highlighting its track record in the economy. Mitsotakis strategically positioned himself well during the COVID-19 pandemic and Europe’s energy crisis to stimulate growth in the country amidst challenging global conditions.
Polling stations across Greece opened at 7 am (04:00 GMT) on Sunday and closed 12 hours later. The tragic boat wreck off the coast of western Greece a week ago, in which hundreds of refugees and migrants either died or went missing, cast a shadow over the polls.
However, the disaster did not have a significant impact on the overall outcome, as Greeks were expected to focus on domestic economic issues. In the previous election as well, the New Democracy party emerged as the winner, but without a clear majority.