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Greece election: Syriza takes early lead Greece election: Conservative New Democracy admits defeat
(35 minutes later)
Greece's left-wing Syriza party has taken an early lead over the conservative New Democracy, with counting under way in the nation's fifth election in six years. Greece's conservative New Democracy party has admitted defeat to Alexis Tsipras's left-wing Syriza in the nation's fifth election in six years.
With 10% of votes counted, Alexis Tsipras's Syriza had 35% of the vote, according to interior ministry data, with New Democracy on 28%. The concession came as Syriza was given a lead of 35% to New Democracy's 28%, with 21% of votes counted, interior ministry data showed.
This would not give Syriza an absolute majority, and the party would need partners to form a government.
The snap election was called after Syriza lost its majority in August.The snap election was called after Syriza lost its majority in August.
Mr Tsipras's popularity plummeted after he agreed a new financial bailout deal. Mr Tsipras's popularity had plummeted after he agreed a new financial bailout deal with international creditors.
The final exit poll suggested Syriza had a lead of between 4.5 and 5 points over New Democracy. Hugged
Syriza supporters at the party's main electoral HQ in Athens cheered and clapped as the exit polls were announced. New Democracy leader Vangelis Meimarakis said: "The electoral result appears to be concluding with Syriza and Mr Tsipras in the lead.
"I congratulate him and urge him to create the government which is needed."
Syriza supporters at the party's main electoral HQ in Athens earlier cheered and clapped as exit polls were announced.
Mr Tsipras was hugged by party supporters as he arrived there.Mr Tsipras was hugged by party supporters as he arrived there.
However, a result along these lines will not give Mr Tsipras an absolute majority. On hearing the exit polls, Syriza member and ex-energy minister Panos Skourletis said on local TV: "It is the first time a party brings in a tough bailout deal and is rewarded. Until now, the electorate was clearly anti-bailout."
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Athens says this will mean another period of political instability just as deadlines loom for the implementation of a series of key financial reforms. One projection on the current vote count gives Syriza 144 seats in the 300-seat parliament, with New Democracy on 75. But this is short of an absolute majority.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Athens says this could mean another period of political instability just as deadlines loom for the implementation of a series of key financial reforms.
Mr Tsipras had signed the bailout deal shortly after holding a referendum in which more than 60% of voters rejected the austerity measures creditors wanted to impose.Mr Tsipras had signed the bailout deal shortly after holding a referendum in which more than 60% of voters rejected the austerity measures creditors wanted to impose.
In interviews leading up to the election, Mr Tsipras said he had put his country above his party. He said that had he not agreed to the three-year bailout, Greece would probably have had to leave the eurozone.In interviews leading up to the election, Mr Tsipras said he had put his country above his party. He said that had he not agreed to the three-year bailout, Greece would probably have had to leave the eurozone.
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