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| Greek election: Frontrunners hold televised debate | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The two main challengers in Greece's elections are holding a televised debate, with polls suggesting they are neck-and-neck. | |
| The leader of left-wing Syriza party, Alexis Tsipras, is facing Vangelis Meimarakis, of the centre-right New Democracy. | |
| Mr Tsipras called Sunday's snap election after securing a multi-billion euro bailout last month. | Mr Tsipras called Sunday's snap election after securing a multi-billion euro bailout last month. |
| Both parties drew 31.6% in a recent poll for ANT1 TV. | Both parties drew 31.6% in a recent poll for ANT1 TV. |
| Little has separated the two sides throughout the campaign, meaning neither is likely to secure a parliamentary majority. Mr Meimarakis has suggested a grand coalition is possible, something ruled out by Mr Tsipras. | Little has separated the two sides throughout the campaign, meaning neither is likely to secure a parliamentary majority. Mr Meimarakis has suggested a grand coalition is possible, something ruled out by Mr Tsipras. |
| Analysts say the debate provides an important chance to win over the many undecided voters. | Analysts say the debate provides an important chance to win over the many undecided voters. |
| Mr Tsipras won power earlier this year pledging to end austerity, but was instead forced to accept a rescue package that included more cuts. | Mr Tsipras won power earlier this year pledging to end austerity, but was instead forced to accept a rescue package that included more cuts. |
| He is expected to say he will continue to fight against corruption and poverty, and told state broadcaster ERT on Sunday: "We fought for justice for the people more than anybody else." | He is expected to say he will continue to fight against corruption and poverty, and told state broadcaster ERT on Sunday: "We fought for justice for the people more than anybody else." |
| Mr Meimarakis is likely to argue Syriza has wrecked the economy during its period in office. | Mr Meimarakis is likely to argue Syriza has wrecked the economy during its period in office. |
| "No prime minister has done as much damage in as little time as Tsipras," he told Ethnos daily. | "No prime minister has done as much damage in as little time as Tsipras," he told Ethnos daily. |