GREECE: Outgoing Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis concedes election defeat and resigns from party presidency
Record ID:
644711
GREECE: Outgoing Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis concedes election defeat and resigns from party presidency
- Title: GREECE: Outgoing Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis concedes election defeat and resigns from party presidency
- Date: 5th October 2009
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (OCTOBER 4 2009) (REUTERS) OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER COSTAS KARAMANLIS AND NEW DEMOCRACY PARTY PRESIDENT ARRIVING AT ATHENS CONFERENCE HALL WIDE OF KARAMANLIS ADDRESSING REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) KARAMANLIS SAYING, "At this time I would like to congratulate George Papandreou for his victory, as every Greek we hope he succeeds in the big challenge of the economic difficulties facing him." WIDE OF KARAMANLIS ADDRESSING REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) KARAMANLIS SAYING, "The only responsible and honourable road for me is one. I accept responsibility for the result and I will start procedures for the election of a new party president of New Democracy." NEW DEMOCRACY PARTY SUPPORTERS CLAPPING KARAMANLIS LEAVING
- Embargoed: 20th October 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Greece
- Country: Greece
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA8XSBQEGRCN5JF1ETZRVTSGELF
- Story Text: Greece's conservative Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis conceded election defeat and resigned as head of his party on Sunday (October 4) after results showed the opposition Socialists winning a comfortable governing majority.
"I want to congratulate (socialist leader) George Papandreou for his victory. As every Greek, I hope he succeeds in the great challenge to deal with difficult circumstances," he told reporters. "I assume responsibility for the defeat and start procedures for the election of a new party president", Karamanlis said.
With about 45 percent of the national vote counted, the Socialists were ahead with nearly 44 percent against the New Democracy's 35 percent. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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