GREECE: Greek conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his main party rival, leftist opposition leader Alexis Tsipras vote in EU election

Record ID: 328902

  • Title: GREECE: Greek conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his main party rival, leftist opposition leader Alexis Tsipras vote in EU election
  • Date: 25th May 2014
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (MAY 25 2014) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** OPPOSITION SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS EXITING VOTING BOOTH AND CASTING HIS BALLOT IN BOX TSIPRAS POSTING HIS BALLOT (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "It is the first sunny Sunday we have had this year, I don't know if that is a sign, but I do know that it is worth the effort for everyone to take some of their time on this summer day to vote, particularly the youth, because this is the only way we can bring back the summer in our country and avoid a winter of bailouts." SUPPORTER HUGGING TSIPRAS, TSIPRAS SHAKING HANDS WITH SUPPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIZA PARTY LEADER ALEXIS TSIPRAS SAYING: "Now its time to change, to change Europe of austerity in order to regain democracy in Europe." TSIPRAS WALKING WITH SUPPORTERS FOLLOWING
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA57DEI2X3HPFVRYZSS0954L8SS
  • Story Text: Greek leaders cast their vote in European elections on Sunday (May 25) seen as a contest between the current conservative government and the leftist opposition.
    Greece's debt crisis has reduced living standards in the country after the EU demanded harsh cost cutting measures from Athens in return for bailout loan funds. The measures have caused anger in the country but led to a turnaround in the economy, which now boasts a surplus.
    The current governing party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, the centre right New Democracy Party, member of Europe's European People's Party (EPP), pledges growth and stability, while opposition leftist Syriza Party of Alexis Tsipras, affiliated with the Party of the European Left (PEL), promises an end to austerity and criticizes the EU for crippling Greece during the crisis.
    "Today is a day for democracy, a day for unity, to take Greece forward and to keep the country standing on its feet," said Samaras after casting his ballot in his hometown of Pylos.
    "Now its time to change, to change Europe of austerity in order to regain democracy in Europe," said Tsipras after casting his vote in Athens.
    Surveys show Greeks have one of the most negative opinions of the policies of the European Union but want to remain in the eurozone. A strong win for Syriza could create problems for the government of New Democracy and its coalition partner, socialist PASOK, who have a narrow parliamentary majority, and in the extreme case force it to call national elections.
    Greece has 21 seats in the European Parliament.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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