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Greek elections: Party leaders make final calls for votes | Greek elections: Party leaders make final calls for votes |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has made a final appeal to voters ahead of Sunday's general election, with his party battling the left-wing Syriza. | Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has made a final appeal to voters ahead of Sunday's general election, with his party battling the left-wing Syriza. |
Mr Samaras said that despite years of austerity, the country was showing signs of recovery. | Mr Samaras said that despite years of austerity, the country was showing signs of recovery. |
Meanwhile, Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras said his party would restore "dignity" to Greece. | Meanwhile, Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras said his party would restore "dignity" to Greece. |
He wants to renegotiate Greece's debt and end the austerity measures imposed by an international bailout. | He wants to renegotiate Greece's debt and end the austerity measures imposed by an international bailout. |
Greece has endured deep budget cuts tied to its massive bailout from the so-called troika - the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB). | Greece has endured deep budget cuts tied to its massive bailout from the so-called troika - the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB). |
The possibility of a Syriza victory in Sunday's vote has sparked fears that Greece could default on its debt and exit from the euro. | The possibility of a Syriza victory in Sunday's vote has sparked fears that Greece could default on its debt and exit from the euro. |
'Drachma lobby' | 'Drachma lobby' |
In a final, combative campaign rally, Mr Samaras told supporters of his conservative New Democracy party he had worked "day and night" to keep the country standing. | In a final, combative campaign rally, Mr Samaras told supporters of his conservative New Democracy party he had worked "day and night" to keep the country standing. |
Syriza, he argued, could force the country from the Euro by its policies, serving what he called the "drachma lobby", a reference to the former Greek currency. | Syriza, he argued, could force the country from the Euro by its policies, serving what he called the "drachma lobby", a reference to the former Greek currency. |
He also warned that Greece could miss out on a massive programme of quantitative easing unveiled by the ECB. | He also warned that Greece could miss out on a massive programme of quantitative easing unveiled by the ECB. |
Mr Tsipras said he hoped to work out a "mutually acceptable solution" with Greece's creditors by the time the country is eligible for support in July. | Mr Tsipras said he hoped to work out a "mutually acceptable solution" with Greece's creditors by the time the country is eligible for support in July. |
At a campaign rally on Thursday, he said an end to "national humiliation" was near, repeating a promise to have half of Greece's international debt written off when the current bailout deal ends. | At a campaign rally on Thursday, he said an end to "national humiliation" was near, repeating a promise to have half of Greece's international debt written off when the current bailout deal ends. |
Syriza has moderated its stance since the peak of the eurozone crisis, and says it wants Greece to stay in the euro. | Syriza has moderated its stance since the peak of the eurozone crisis, and says it wants Greece to stay in the euro. |
But critics say that what the party is advocating may mean Greece will be forced to leave the eurozone whether it wants to or not. | But critics say that what the party is advocating may mean Greece will be forced to leave the eurozone whether it wants to or not. |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged the country to remain part of the eurozone. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged the country to remain part of the eurozone. |
"At the heart of our principles lies solidarity," she said. "I want Greece, despite the difficulties, to remain part of our story." | "At the heart of our principles lies solidarity," she said. "I want Greece, despite the difficulties, to remain part of our story." |
Germany is seen in Greece as taking the hardest line on its debt. | Germany is seen in Greece as taking the hardest line on its debt. |
Earlier this month, a spokesman for Mrs Merkel said Germany expected Greece to uphold the terms of its international bailout agreement. | Earlier this month, a spokesman for Mrs Merkel said Germany expected Greece to uphold the terms of its international bailout agreement. |
Greek economy in numbers | Greek economy in numbers |