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Greece election: Anti-austerity Syriza wins election Greece election: Anti-austerity Syriza wins election
(about 1 hour later)
Anti-austerity party Syriza has won a clear victory in Greece's general election. Anti-austerity Syriza party has won Greece's general election, putting the country on a possible collision course with the EU over its massive bailout.
With nearly 70% of the votes counted, it is projected to win 149 seats, just two short of an absolute majority, though that number could change. With nearly 75% of the votes counted, Syriza is projected to win 149 seats, just two short of an absolute majority, though that number could change.
Party leader Alexis Tsipras, who has vowed to renegotiate Greece's debt with international creditors, said "today the Greeks wrote history". Left-wing party leader Alexis Tsipras, who wants to renegotiate Greece's debt, said "the Greeks wrote history".
The ruling New Democracy has come a distant second. The governing centre-right New Democracy has come a distant second.
Outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has admitted defeat and phoned Mr Tsipras to congratulate him.Outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has admitted defeat and phoned Mr Tsipras to congratulate him.
Syriza's result will send shockwaves through Europe, the BBC's Gavin Hewitt in Athens reports.
A majority of voters in Greece have essentially rejected a core policy for dealing with the eurozone crisis as devised by Brussels and Berlin, our correspondent adds.
'Thing of the past''Thing of the past'
Appearing before jubilant crowds in the capital Athens, Mr Tsipras said Greek voters gave Syriza "a clear, powerful mandate". Addressing his jubilant supporters in front of Athens' university, Mr Tsipras said Greek voters gave Syriza "a clear, powerful mandate".
"You are an example of history which is changing... Your mandate is undoubtedly cancelling the bailouts of austerity and destruction."You are an example of history which is changing... Your mandate is undoubtedly cancelling the bailouts of austerity and destruction.
"The troika for Greece is the thing of the past," he added, referring to the country's biggest international lenders - the European Union, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB)."The troika for Greece is the thing of the past," he added, referring to the country's biggest international lenders - the European Union, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB).
He also promised to negotiate a fair and mutually beneficial financial solution.He also promised to negotiate a fair and mutually beneficial financial solution.
Mr Tsipras earlier vowed to reverse many of the austerity measures adopted by Greece since a series of bailouts began in 2010.Mr Tsipras earlier vowed to reverse many of the austerity measures adopted by Greece since a series of bailouts began in 2010.
For his part, Mr Samaras said earlier: "The Greek people have spoken and I respect their decision," pointing out that he had inherited a "hot potato" on coming into office and that he and his party had done much to restore his country's finances.For his part, Mr Samaras said earlier: "The Greek people have spoken and I respect their decision," pointing out that he had inherited a "hot potato" on coming into office and that he and his party had done much to restore his country's finances.
The result is being closely watched outside Greece, where it is believed a Syriza victory could encourage radical leftist parties across Europe.The result is being closely watched outside Greece, where it is believed a Syriza victory could encourage radical leftist parties across Europe.
"There is an ongoing thriller surrounding the absolute majority," said Michalis Karyotoglou, head of Singular Logic, the software group monitoring the voting process for the interior ministry."There is an ongoing thriller surrounding the absolute majority," said Michalis Karyotoglou, head of Singular Logic, the software group monitoring the voting process for the interior ministry.
Either way however, partial results from Greece's election commission showed a clear Syriza lead.Either way however, partial results from Greece's election commission showed a clear Syriza lead.
With 67% of the votes counted, Syriza is polling 36%, while the New Democracy is a distant second with 28%. With most votes counted, Syriza is polling 36%, while New Democracy is on 28%.
Another five parties - Far-right Golden Dawn and centrist The River - are expected to be represented in the 300-member parliament, beating the 3% threshold. Another five parties - including the far-right Golden Dawn and centrist The River - are expected to be represented in the 300-member parliament.
The proportion of votes won by smaller parties will have a large impact on whether Syriza can gain the required 151 parliamentary seats to govern with an absolute majority.The proportion of votes won by smaller parties will have a large impact on whether Syriza can gain the required 151 parliamentary seats to govern with an absolute majority.
Who are Syriza and what do they stand for?Who are Syriza and what do they stand for?