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Greek election: Tsipras asks for new mandate as parties prepare for tight poll - live updates Greek election: Sluggish turnout reported as Tsipras asks for new mandate - live updates
(35 minutes later)
1.34pm BST13:34
Award yourself a bonus mark if you can name the seven people who have led Greece since 2005 (answer below).
Greece has had more prime ministers (5 + 2 interim) over the past decade than any other country in the EU. #ekloges2015_round2
No conferring.....
.....
....
....
OK, the answer is:
1.26pm BST13:26
1.25pm BST13:25
A quick guide to the parties
There are nine parties who could realistically win at least 3% of the vote today, which is the threshold to claim seats in parliament.
Syriza:
Also known as the Coalition of the Radical Left, Syriza’s radical credentials have taken a pasting since racing to power in January on a pledge to end austerity and bailouts.
Alexis Tsipras’s party is running for re-election on a more pragmatic platform than last time. The former (and future?) PM argues he did the best he could, by signing Greece up to a third loan programme, worth some €85bn, and a promise of debt relief.
Syriza has suffered defections since Tsipras called snap polls a month ago, as one-time supporters became disenchanted with the events of this year.
New Democracy.
Greece’s main right-wing party, led by interim party chief Evangelos Meimarakis. It has been the main opposition party since losing power in January.
The mustachioed Meimarakis is a Greek political veteran - he’s been parliamentary speaker, defence secretary, and an MP since 1989. So, not exactly a fresh-faced break from the past.
But his popularity has grown during the past month, as ND caught up with Syriza in the polls.
Golden Dawn:
Greece’s far-right, virulently anti-immigration party came third in January, and could repeat the trick today.
The party is currently fighting charges of being a criminal organisation following the murder of rapper Pavlos Fissas. Leader Nikos Michaloliakos accepted “political responsibility” for Fissas’s death last week.
Pasok:
Greece’s mainstream left-wing party was in power when Athens sought its first bailout in 2010. Pasok was then New Democracy’s junior coalition partner from 2012 until January, when its support slumped. Pasok seems to be rebuilding its popularity, a little, under new leader Fofi Gennimata.
Popular Unity:
In Greece, there’s always room for another party. Popular Unity joined the throng in July, when Syriza MPs who couldn’t accept Greece’s third bailout split from the group. Let by former energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, who has campaigned to reject the demands of Greece’s lenders - and leave the euro if necessary.
Potami:
Centrist and pro-European, To Potami was created by journalist Stavros Theodorakis in 2014. It could potentially join a coalition government that was committed to implementing the bailout.
Independent Greeks:
Also known as ANEL, these populist right-wingers were Tsipras’s surprising choice as coalition partners. The alliance worked quite well during the administration’s brief life, but it may struggle to win enough votes to get back into parliament.
KKE:
Greece’s communist party oppose the bailout, and blames all Greece’s mainstream parties for signing up to economic reforms, pension cuts and tax hikes.
Union of Centrists:
The centrist party was founded in 1992, and led by Vassilis Leventis who publishes his own quarterly newspaper. It didn’t win any seats in January, but may do better this time.
Updated at 1.35pm BST
1.17pm BST13:17
There are signs that today’s turnout is slower than in January’s election, reports Reuters:
Voting started at 0400 GMT [7am Greek time] but around five hours later turnout was still at a pace that appeared lower than in recent elections.
One polling station in an Athens suburb recorded only 25 voters in the first three hours, broadcaster ERT said.
Staff at another station in central Athens told a Reuters photographer around midday that turnout had been around 10% or less of the electorate so far.
1.13pm BST13:13
Greek readers, you have less than four hours to vote.
Everyone else, we have less than four hours until the first exit polls.
1st indication on #Greece election outcome from exit polls at 7pm (GR), 1st official estimate after 9pm. #GreekElections #ekloges2015_round2
1.06pm BST13:06
There’s a strong chance that today’s election results in another coalition government, and further political instability.
Helena wrote about this in today’s Observer. Here’s a flavour:
Whether Syriza or New Democracy emerges as the winner – automatically gaining a bonus 50 seats in the 300-member parliament under Greek law – either would be forced into a coalition with smaller parties. The threat of the country’s ejection from the euro zone, Grexit, still looms large, with many predicting that the terms of being rescued are so punishing that further drama, with Athens once again being brought to the precipice, is inevitable.
Trade unions are already preparing for massive unrest in what is expected to be an explosive winter.
In such climes, Sunday’s vote marks the death of hope in a country already brought to its knees. “Abstention will be the biggest impediment and danger,” says Konstantinos Tsoukalas, Greece’s leading sociologist and a former Syriza MP. “If Tsipras doesn’t win, it won’t be because Vangelis Meimarakis does but because more and more young people, in what was once one of Europe’s most politicised societies, are asking, ‘What is the point, what is our vote going to do?’”
Related: Greece awaits outcome of Alexis Tsipras gamble: ‘We have all aged’
12.59pm BST12:5912.59pm BST12:59
Zoe Konstantopoulou, speaker of the Greek Parliament and candidate with the new ‘Popular Unity’ party, cast her vote earlier today.Zoe Konstantopoulou, speaker of the Greek Parliament and candidate with the new ‘Popular Unity’ party, cast her vote earlier today.
Konstantopoulou, who split from Syriza in July, then criticised the bailout programme agreed by her former leader, Alexis Tsipras.Konstantopoulou, who split from Syriza in July, then criticised the bailout programme agreed by her former leader, Alexis Tsipras.
Konstantopoulou: Greeks are being threatened with criminal policies & threat of humanitarian crisis. #GreekElections pic.twitter.com/eAqJl4KkBZKonstantopoulou: Greeks are being threatened with criminal policies & threat of humanitarian crisis. #GreekElections pic.twitter.com/eAqJl4KkBZ
Konstantopoulo: "Greece has made up its minds. The younger generation knows who betrayed them." #greekelections #ekloges2015_round2Konstantopoulo: "Greece has made up its minds. The younger generation knows who betrayed them." #greekelections #ekloges2015_round2
12.48pm BST12:4812.48pm BST12:48
Political veteran Glezos: Get out and vote!Political veteran Glezos: Get out and vote!
Helena SmithHelena Smith
In the tradition of every Greek election, political personalities have been making statements as they take part in today’s election.In the tradition of every Greek election, political personalities have been making statements as they take part in today’s election.
Helena Smith our correspondent in Athens, reports:Helena Smith our correspondent in Athens, reports:
After casting his ballot in Athens, legendary leftist Manolis Glezos implored voters not to ignore what he described as a decisive election. “Today’s elections are definitive for the course of the country,” said the nonagenarian, for many the face of resistance not only against brutal German occupation but brutal German-imposed austerity.After casting his ballot in Athens, legendary leftist Manolis Glezos implored voters not to ignore what he described as a decisive election. “Today’s elections are definitive for the course of the country,” said the nonagenarian, for many the face of resistance not only against brutal German occupation but brutal German-imposed austerity.
“All power springs from the people, belongs to the people and is exercised by the people,” insisted the political veteran who now heads the list of honorary state MPs fielded by the anti-euro, anti-austerity Popular Unity party founded by Syriza rebels in July, adding:“All power springs from the people, belongs to the people and is exercised by the people,” insisted the political veteran who now heads the list of honorary state MPs fielded by the anti-euro, anti-austerity Popular Unity party founded by Syriza rebels in July, adding:
“That has been the law down through the centuries and today it is exactly this issue that is being judged.”“That has been the law down through the centuries and today it is exactly this issue that is being judged.”
Glezos said it was crucial votes were cast in the name of the people and not in the name of the old regime who he said had made decisions without taking the people into account.Glezos said it was crucial votes were cast in the name of the people and not in the name of the old regime who he said had made decisions without taking the people into account.
With debt-crippled Athens’ ability for manoeuvre effectively choked by the bailout commitments it has now signed up to, many Greeks are questioning whether democratic procedures, starting with these elections, have any value at all.With debt-crippled Athens’ ability for manoeuvre effectively choked by the bailout commitments it has now signed up to, many Greeks are questioning whether democratic procedures, starting with these elections, have any value at all.
Glezos, who first shot to fame removing the Swastika from the Acropolis in 1941, has often been accused of political demagogy. But it is the pervasive and growing sense that the ballot box no longer has any meaning that is behind the large numbers of Greeks who have said they will be abstaining from the election.Glezos, who first shot to fame removing the Swastika from the Acropolis in 1941, has often been accused of political demagogy. But it is the pervasive and growing sense that the ballot box no longer has any meaning that is behind the large numbers of Greeks who have said they will be abstaining from the election.
Updated at 1.00pm BSTUpdated at 1.00pm BST
12.41pm BST12:4112.41pm BST12:41
12.25pm BST12:2512.25pm BST12:25
Donkeys at general elections? The jokes write themselves.Donkeys at general elections? The jokes write themselves.
But farmer Aristidis Tsirikos had a serious message as he arrived to cast his vote in Nea Tyrintha about 165km (103 miles) southwest of Athens. He’s unhappy about upcoming austerity measures which will progressively double farmers’ income rate from 13% to 26%.But farmer Aristidis Tsirikos had a serious message as he arrived to cast his vote in Nea Tyrintha about 165km (103 miles) southwest of Athens. He’s unhappy about upcoming austerity measures which will progressively double farmers’ income rate from 13% to 26%.
They’ll also lose a tax break on fuel, meaning Tsirikos could spend more time astride that poor donkey.....They’ll also lose a tax break on fuel, meaning Tsirikos could spend more time astride that poor donkey.....
Updated at 12.26pm BSTUpdated at 12.26pm BST
12.15pm BST12:1512.15pm BST12:15
Greeks spend a lot of time voting, so it’s worth practicing from an early age:Greeks spend a lot of time voting, so it’s worth practicing from an early age:
12.13pm BST12:1312.13pm BST12:13
Greek tweeter Theodora Oikonomides reports that the local polling station in Petralona, Athens, is pretty subdued so far.Greek tweeter Theodora Oikonomides reports that the local polling station in Petralona, Athens, is pretty subdued so far.
The area has been pro-Syriza since 2012, she tells me.The area has been pro-Syriza since 2012, she tells me.
I don't think I ever saw my polling station so quiet and deserted. #Greece #ekloges2015I don't think I ever saw my polling station so quiet and deserted. #Greece #ekloges2015
12.06pm BST12:0612.06pm BST12:06
Once the dust has settled, Greece’s next government faces a race to implement the bailout plan agreed with its creditors.Once the dust has settled, Greece’s next government faces a race to implement the bailout plan agreed with its creditors.
That has to happen before the eurozone will begin considering debt relief (the one ‘big win’ Tsipras achieved this year)That has to happen before the eurozone will begin considering debt relief (the one ‘big win’ Tsipras achieved this year)
Task for election winner: About a third of the new bailout programme must be implemented in next 40 days #ekloges2015_round2Task for election winner: About a third of the new bailout programme must be implemented in next 40 days #ekloges2015_round2
12.02pm BST12:0212.02pm BST12:02
You can get up to speed on today’s elections with our comprehensive guide - explaining how Greece got here, and where the country goes next:You can get up to speed on today’s elections with our comprehensive guide - explaining how Greece got here, and where the country goes next:
Related: Greek election 2015: everything you need to knowRelated: Greek election 2015: everything you need to know
11.49am BST11:4911.49am BST11:49
11.49am BST11:4911.49am BST11:49
With Syriza and New Democracy both committed to implementing Greece’s bailout, voters are understandably unenthused by today’s snap election.With Syriza and New Democracy both committed to implementing Greece’s bailout, voters are understandably unenthused by today’s snap election.
From Athens, Jon Henley explains:From Athens, Jon Henley explains:
Whoever wins will have the same daunting to-do list, both leaders having already committed to implementing the draconian terms of Greece’s latest €86bn bailout: a radical overhaul of the country’s shattered economy and major changes to its welfare, pensions, health and taxation systems.Whoever wins will have the same daunting to-do list, both leaders having already committed to implementing the draconian terms of Greece’s latest €86bn bailout: a radical overhaul of the country’s shattered economy and major changes to its welfare, pensions, health and taxation systems.
Fresh funds will not be released unless the cash-for-reforms programme is implemented, with progress – in the form of about 120 new laws by the end of the year – to be reviewed quarterly by Greece’s international creditors.Fresh funds will not be released unless the cash-for-reforms programme is implemented, with progress – in the form of about 120 new laws by the end of the year – to be reviewed quarterly by Greece’s international creditors.
“It’s a strange election, very frustrating, profoundly undemocratic, because the big policy questions have been decided so we can’t express our political will,” said George Papanikolaou, a genetics lecturer, among a thin straggle of morning voters at a central Athens polling station.“It’s a strange election, very frustrating, profoundly undemocratic, because the big policy questions have been decided so we can’t express our political will,” said George Papanikolaou, a genetics lecturer, among a thin straggle of morning voters at a central Athens polling station.
“It’s about micromanagement issues, not vision.”“It’s about micromanagement issues, not vision.”
And that’s hardly a rallying cry to vote.And that’s hardly a rallying cry to vote.
Here’s Jon’s latest dispatch:Here’s Jon’s latest dispatch:
Related: Tsipras promises 'fighting government' as election-weary Greeks voteRelated: Tsipras promises 'fighting government' as election-weary Greeks vote
11.42am BST11:4211.42am BST11:42
ND's Meimarakis: It's time to end the liesND's Meimarakis: It's time to end the lies
New Democracy’s leader Evangelos Meimarakis urged Greeks to end the lies and the misery gripping the country, as he cast his vote in Athens.New Democracy’s leader Evangelos Meimarakis urged Greeks to end the lies and the misery gripping the country, as he cast his vote in Athens.
Meimarakis said:Meimarakis said:
“Today the politicians don’t speak, the citizens speak. They speak with their vote,”“Today the politicians don’t speak, the citizens speak. They speak with their vote,”
“And I think they want to do away with the grey, the lies, the misery .... And with their vote they want to bring truth and authenticity, so we can have a better tomorrow, a better tomorrow for all Greeks.”“And I think they want to do away with the grey, the lies, the misery .... And with their vote they want to bring truth and authenticity, so we can have a better tomorrow, a better tomorrow for all Greeks.”
#Meimarakis : All #Greeks will tonight celebrate 'new #Greece' that begins tomorrow morning #GreekElections #ekloges2015_round2#Meimarakis : All #Greeks will tonight celebrate 'new #Greece' that begins tomorrow morning #GreekElections #ekloges2015_round2
Meimarakis, a Greek political veteran, has had a pretty good election.Meimarakis, a Greek political veteran, has had a pretty good election.
New Democracy have clawed their way back in the polls since the snap elections were called, even overtaking Syriza in some surveys last week.New Democracy have clawed their way back in the polls since the snap elections were called, even overtaking Syriza in some surveys last week.
He pitched himself as a more experienced, safer pair of hands than the leftwing firebrand Tsipras, who has tried to paint Meimarakis as the embodiment of Greece’s sins in the past.He pitched himself as a more experienced, safer pair of hands than the leftwing firebrand Tsipras, who has tried to paint Meimarakis as the embodiment of Greece’s sins in the past.
Here’s our profile of Meimarakis:Here’s our profile of Meimarakis:
Related: Vangelis Meimarakis charms Greek voters: 'He’s not new, but he’s genuine'Related: Vangelis Meimarakis charms Greek voters: 'He’s not new, but he’s genuine'
Updated at 11.50am BSTUpdated at 11.50am BST
11.32am BST11:3211.32am BST11:32
The FT’s Henry Foy is also stationed outside a polling booth, and reports that some younger voters have stuck with Syriza.The FT’s Henry Foy is also stationed outside a polling booth, and reports that some younger voters have stuck with Syriza.
Meeting many young ppl outside #Athens polling stations who say voted @syriza_gr after agonising over it all wk. Good 4 @tsipras_eu. #GreeceMeeting many young ppl outside #Athens polling stations who say voted @syriza_gr after agonising over it all wk. Good 4 @tsipras_eu. #Greece
11.29am BST11:2911.29am BST11:29
Today’s election lacks the drama of January’s poll, or July’s referendum, as Greece has now signed up its third bailout.Today’s election lacks the drama of January’s poll, or July’s referendum, as Greece has now signed up its third bailout.
Voters have still been trickling to the polling booths through the morning, as Jon Henley tweets:Voters have still been trickling to the polling booths through the morning, as Jon Henley tweets:
Voting at the First Pilot High School in Central Athens today #Greece pic.twitter.com/pNjm4pgvD8Voting at the First Pilot High School in Central Athens today #Greece pic.twitter.com/pNjm4pgvD8
Voting at the 74th Primary School in central Athens #Greece #ekections pic.twitter.com/GAAu3vwPsjVoting at the 74th Primary School in central Athens #Greece #ekections pic.twitter.com/GAAu3vwPsj
11.22am BST11:2211.22am BST11:22
Tsipras: Give me a new mandateTsipras: Give me a new mandate
Alexis Tsipras has already voted in today’s election, in an Athens polling booth packed with reporters and cameras.Alexis Tsipras has already voted in today’s election, in an Athens polling booth packed with reporters and cameras.
And after making his choice, the former prime minister vowed to keep fighting for Greece if he was reelected.And after making his choice, the former prime minister vowed to keep fighting for Greece if he was reelected.
He urged Greeks to give him a strong mandate that will allow it to govern for a full four-year term, to:He urged Greeks to give him a strong mandate that will allow it to govern for a full four-year term, to:
“continue with the same decisiveness, the same self-denial to fight the battles for the defence of our people’s rights, not only in Europe but this time within the country too.”“continue with the same decisiveness, the same self-denial to fight the battles for the defence of our people’s rights, not only in Europe but this time within the country too.”
Tsipras also told reporters in the Kypseli neighborhood of Athens that:Tsipras also told reporters in the Kypseli neighborhood of Athens that:
“I am optimistic...Tomorrow a new day starts.”“I am optimistic...Tomorrow a new day starts.”
The polling station, like many across Greece, was sited in a local school...The polling station, like many across Greece, was sited in a local school...
Alexis Tsipras casts his vote, in the background a child called Alexis' school drawer label #ekloges2015_round2 pic.twitter.com/IWll0SKK5UAlexis Tsipras casts his vote, in the background a child called Alexis' school drawer label #ekloges2015_round2 pic.twitter.com/IWll0SKK5U
10.51am BST10:5110.51am BST10:51
Introduction: Another Greek general electionIntroduction: Another Greek general election
Hello. Greek voters are heading to the polls today in a tightly fought general election which promises, or perhaps threatens, to be nail-bitingly close.Hello. Greek voters are heading to the polls today in a tightly fought general election which promises, or perhaps threatens, to be nail-bitingly close.
After just seven months of power, Alexis Tsipras called these snap elections to win a new mandate to implement Greece’s new bailout plan.After just seven months of power, Alexis Tsipras called these snap elections to win a new mandate to implement Greece’s new bailout plan.
Will Greeks give their former prime minister another crack at the job? Or will voters, weary of austerity and dizzied by the dramatic events since January, place their trust elsewhere? Or simply stay at home?Will Greeks give their former prime minister another crack at the job? Or will voters, weary of austerity and dizzied by the dramatic events since January, place their trust elsewhere? Or simply stay at home?
Tsipras has already tried to rally supporters, tweeting that they must choose their own future.Tsipras has already tried to rally supporters, tweeting that they must choose their own future.
Today in #Greece, we're deciding on our future. Today the Greek people will choose how they want to live. pic.twitter.com/uO9qoeoE1NToday in #Greece, we're deciding on our future. Today the Greek people will choose how they want to live. pic.twitter.com/uO9qoeoE1N
But the head of the New Democracy opposition party, Evangelos Meimarakis, has urged voters to reject Tsipras’s false promises”.But the head of the New Democracy opposition party, Evangelos Meimarakis, has urged voters to reject Tsipras’s false promises”.
Meimarakis warned yesterday that:Meimarakis warned yesterday that:
“We have no more room for experiments...Stability is needed and the immediate implementation of changes and reforms.”“We have no more room for experiments...Stability is needed and the immediate implementation of changes and reforms.”
Syriza and New Democracy were neck-and-neck in the final opinion polls, so there’s all to play for today.Syriza and New Democracy were neck-and-neck in the final opinion polls, so there’s all to play for today.
Voting stations opened at 7am (5am BST), and will close 12 hours later. Exit polls will then be released, giving the first clue as to how Greeks have voted.Voting stations opened at 7am (5am BST), and will close 12 hours later. Exit polls will then be released, giving the first clue as to how Greeks have voted.
Firm results should come a few hours later, so we might know the winner by midnight Athens time (10pm BST). But if the vote is as close as the pre-election polls suggest, there could be days of uncertainty as leaders try to form a new coalition.Firm results should come a few hours later, so we might know the winner by midnight Athens time (10pm BST). But if the vote is as close as the pre-election polls suggest, there could be days of uncertainty as leaders try to form a new coalition.
This is the third time this year that ballot boxes have been wheeled out across Greece, following January’s general election and July’s referendum on whether to accept the terms of a third bailout (Greece voted No; Tsipras then signed up anyway).This is the third time this year that ballot boxes have been wheeled out across Greece, following January’s general election and July’s referendum on whether to accept the terms of a third bailout (Greece voted No; Tsipras then signed up anyway).
Whoever wins will face the challenge of bringing Greece’s economy back to normality, ending capital controls, and implementing the tough austerity measures and sweeping economic reform plans agreed with its lenders. Truly a daunting prospect.Whoever wins will face the challenge of bringing Greece’s economy back to normality, ending capital controls, and implementing the tough austerity measures and sweeping economic reform plans agreed with its lenders. Truly a daunting prospect.
We’ll bring you all the action through the day, and night, ahead.We’ll bring you all the action through the day, and night, ahead.
Updated at 11.32am BSTUpdated at 11.32am BST