Europe | A big win

Greece’s prime minister wins an election, but lacks a majority

Another vote is now expected in late June, when a new system should see him back in office

Greek Prime Minister and leader of right wing party New Democracy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis casts his ballot at a polling station during the general election in Athens on May 21, 2023. Greece votes in a general election that could deliver a chaotic outcome, with favourite conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unlikely to garner a lead wide enough to avoid a new vote. (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP) — Image: AFP

May 21st 2023

GREECE’S RULING centre-right New Democracy (ND) party came first by an impressive and unexpected margin in an election held on May 21st; but it narrowly failed to secure an outright majority in parliament. It now looks likely that another election will be held, probably at the end of June, as the moderate socialist party, Pasok, has ruled out joining a coalition government under ND’s leader, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mr Mitsotakis is not interested in forming a coalition at this stage either.