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Greece election: Conservative New Democracy admits defeat Greece election: Conservative New Democracy admits defeat
(35 minutes later)
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.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.
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. The concession came as Syriza was given a lead of 35% to New Democracy's 28% with a third 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. This is likely to leave Syriza just short of an absolute majority, and the party would need partners.
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 had plummeted after he agreed a new financial bailout deal with international creditors. This followed the signing of an unpopular new financial bailout deal with international creditors.
HuggedHugged
New Democracy leader Vangelis Meimarakis said: "The electoral result appears to be concluding with Syriza and Mr Tsipras in the lead.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.""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.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.
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." He later said there was "hard work and struggle" ahead for the Greek people.
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. Following the exit polls, Syriza member and ex-energy minister Panos Skourletis said on local TV: "It is the first time a party has brought 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 could 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. This is only five fewer than Mr Tsipras's thumping victory in January's election, but again leaves him just short of an absolute majority.
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. Greece's turbulent year
29 Dec: Greek parliament fails to elect president, leading to snap elections a month later
25 Jan: Leftist Syriza party's Alexis Tsipras elected PM on an anti-austerity manifesto
24 Feb: Greece's European lenders agree to extend its second bailout by four months
Jun: Marathon talks take place to avoid Greece bankruptcy and possibly leaving the eurozone. PM Tsipras calls a referendum on a possible bailout agreement
5 Jul: Greek voters overwhelmingly reject terms of third EU bailout in referendum vote
14 Aug: Greece agrees €85bn (£60bn) bailout deal with its creditors - its third in five years - allowing tax hikes and new spending cuts. Mr Tsipras resigns a week later clearing the way for snap elections in September, as he seeks a new mandate
20 Sept: New Democracy concedes election defeat to Syriza
Tsipras, the man who risked Greek future in euro
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Athens says a tie-up with the Independent Greeks could give Syriza a small majority but it may try to bring in a third party to make the government more stable.
Nevertheless, he says, this appears to be a much bigger victory than expected.
The far-right Golden Dawn was predicted to come in third with 7.1%.
Mr Tsipras seemed to lose popularity when signing 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.
Are you in Greece? What are your views on this election? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in Greece? What are your views on this election? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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