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Greece's Socialists win snap poll Greece's Socialists win snap poll
(20 minutes later)
Greece's opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) has won the country's snap general elections.Greece's opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) has won the country's snap general elections.
Conservative Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis admitted defeat after official projections and exit polls gave Pasok a clear majority. Conservative Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has admitted defeat, and called Pasok leader George Papandreou to congratulate him.
With some 20% of ballots counted it had more than 43% of the vote, to 36% for Mr Karamanlis's New Democracy party. With some 20% of ballots counted, the socialists had more than 43% of the vote, to 36% for Mr Karamanlis's New Democracy party.
Pasok needs 43% to have an absolute majority. It has spent more than five years in opposition. Pasok has been in opposition since 2004 and needs 43% for an absolute majority.
Evangelos Venizelos, a senior Pasok member and former minister said the result was "a historic victory" which "means great responsibility" for Pasok.Evangelos Venizelos, a senior Pasok member and former minister said the result was "a historic victory" which "means great responsibility" for Pasok.
Another senior Pasok member, Theodoros Pangalos, told Greek media the party had convinced voters "with the strength of our programme", while party official Fofi Gennimata said it was "clear that the people are calling for a new course".Another senior Pasok member, Theodoros Pangalos, told Greek media the party had convinced voters "with the strength of our programme", while party official Fofi Gennimata said it was "clear that the people are calling for a new course".
Coalition
Mr Karamanlis called the election in early September, half way through his four-year term.Mr Karamanlis called the election in early September, half way through his four-year term.
He said he wanted a new mandate to tackle Greece's economic problems, but his opponents say he has failed to fulfil promises to clean up public office and to modernise the country.He said he wanted a new mandate to tackle Greece's economic problems, but his opponents say he has failed to fulfil promises to clean up public office and to modernise the country.
Mr Karamanlis had warned of the need for austerity
The government has also been hit by a series of corruption scandals.The government has also been hit by a series of corruption scandals.
Pasok leader George Papandreou has promised he will build a green economy and bring in foreign experts to help Greece overcome its problems if elected. Mr Papandreou has promised he will build a green economy and bring in foreign experts to help Greece overcome its problems if elected.
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant says voters seem to prefer Mr Papandreou's promise of a 3bn Euro ($4.4bn:£2.7bn) stimulus package to the programme of austerity proposed by Mr Karamanlis.The BBC's Malcolm Brabant says voters seem to prefer Mr Papandreou's promise of a 3bn Euro ($4.4bn:£2.7bn) stimulus package to the programme of austerity proposed by Mr Karamanlis.
Coalition
Mr Karamanlis had warned of the need for austerity
Correspondents say the build-up to the election has been lacklustre. A recent poll has also suggested nine out of 10 voters no longer trust either party.Correspondents say the build-up to the election has been lacklustre. A recent poll has also suggested nine out of 10 voters no longer trust either party.
On Friday a small bomb exploded near Mr Karamanlis' final campaign rally. On Friday a small bomb exploded near Mr Karamanlis's final campaign rally.
The blast, which caused no injuries and only minor damage, was claimed by a leftist group calling itself The Fire Conspiracy Cells the following day.The blast, which caused no injuries and only minor damage, was claimed by a leftist group calling itself The Fire Conspiracy Cells the following day.
The opposition needs at least 43% of the national vote to be sure of an overall majority.The opposition needs at least 43% of the national vote to be sure of an overall majority.
Forty seats are automatically awarded to the leading party and the remaining 260 are divided by proportional representation.Forty seats are automatically awarded to the leading party and the remaining 260 are divided by proportional representation.
If no party wins outright, President Karolos Papoulias will ask the leader of the largest party to try to form a coalition government. If that fails, new elections will be called.If no party wins outright, President Karolos Papoulias will ask the leader of the largest party to try to form a coalition government. If that fails, new elections will be called.