Greek leftist party claims victory in general elections

Greek leftist party SYRIZA celebrated a "historic victory" as partial results of Sunday's general elections showed the party in the lead with a comfortable margin.

With 80 percent of the ballots counted, the anti-austerity SYRIZA party won about 36 percent of votes, against 28 percent for its major rival, the conservative New Democracy (ND) party of outgoing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, according to official results released by the Interior Ministry.

The current winning margin makes it almost certain for SYRIZA to lead the government, the first by a leftist party in Greece since the end of WWII.

The only question remained early Monday is whether SYRIZA would manage to secure absolute majority in the next parliament to rule on its own or be forced into a coalition partnership with other parties.

Pollsters estimated that SYRIZA could win 149-151 seats in the 300-member strong assembly, including the 50-seat bonus for the frontrunner under the Greek Constitution.

The official final results were expected to be released by noon on Monday and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras was to receive a three-day exploratory mandate from President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias to form a government.

If he fails to do so, the mandate will be passed on to the runner-up party, and the second runner-up in case the previous attempt to form a government also fails.

Tsipras appeared confident that SYRIZA would succeed. Speaking at a gathering of supporters at a square in central Athens late Sunday, he vowed to "restore Greece's dignity" first above all.

"Today the Greek people have made history. They have spoken and given a strong and indisputable mandate... Greece will leave behind austerity measures, fear, five years of humiliation and pain. We will move forward with optimism and hope," he said.

The SYRIZA leader said he would axe the harsh terms of bailout deals struck with international lenders and renegotiate with them for a "fair, viable and mutually beneficial resolution" of the Greek sovereign debt problem.

Tsipras also dismissed the possibility of a clash with the European union   and the International Monetary Fund creditors, a Greek default and exit from the euro zone.

"There will be neither rift nor submission," he said, rejecting the idea that his party's stance would jeopardize Greece's economic future and its status in the euro zone, as conservatives, markets and analysts have warned.

While conceding his party's defeat in Sunday's elections, Prime Minister Samaras said the Greek people "have spoken and we all respect their decision."

The outgoing leader said his government pulled the country out of recession and laid the foundations for the return to growth, as well as for consensus among parties in Greece.

He expressed the hope that the next government will continue "needed" reforms and cherish what Greece has achieved throughout years.

The conservative leader came to power after a narrow victory against the SYRIZA in 2012. His term should expire in mid-2016 but he was forced to call snap elections when opposition parties refused to back his candidate for president.

Supporting rate for Samaras's party has been continuously eroded in years following series of austerity measures. Disappointed by rising jobless figures and poverty rates, many in the country have turned to the SYRIZA, which blamed austerity measures for creating all the economic difficulties for ordinary Greek citizens.

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