Greek government sees slight decline in support in local elections By Christine Pirovolakis

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Sunday October 15, 2006

By Christine Pirovolakis, Athens- Ongoing labour strikes and a string of high profile corruption scandals took a toll on Greece's ruling conservative government as municipal elections on Sunday showed a drop in nationwide support. While the conservative New Democracy Party (ND) maintained its position for the main mayoral races in Athens and the northern port city of Thessaloniki, the main opposition Socialist party (PASOK) won the majority of votes for the port city of Pireaus.

The conservative incumbent in Pireaus, two-term Mayor Christos Agrapidis, was ousted by Socialist challenger Panayiotis Fassoulas, a former basketball player, winning about 46 per cent of the vote, according to exit polls.

The prefecture of Athens and Pireaus, a regional district where almost half of Greece's population lives, was secured in the hands of Socialist incumbent Fofi Gennimata.

"PASOK is renewing the political life of the country. ... We will continue to battle for a just society. This is what Greece is asking and what Greece deserves," said Socialist leader George Papandreou.

The government has been hit hard in recent months by a string of corruption scandals and public unrest, mainly in response to tough economic policies that have prompted the country's public school teachers and the largest unions to stage ongoing work stoppages.

Recent opinion polls show the conservatives, who came to power in 2004 after nearly two decades of Socialist rule, have less than a 1 percentage point lead over the rival party.

Despite the slight decline, the conservatives still came out on top in Sunday's elections after their candidates won the biggest cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, according to exit polls.

In Athens, former health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis was set to easily win the city of 4 million people, with about 46 per cent of the vote.

Polls in Thessaloniki gave the edge to conservative New Democracy incumbent Vassilis Papageorogopoulos, with 43 per cent of the vote over Socialist challenger Vhryssa Arapoglou.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said that the clear win in Sunday's local elections will cause the government to push forward with economic and labour reforms in an effort to cut Greece's budget deficit to below 3 per cent of GDP, to avoid severe European Union sanctions.

"The elections are a sure sign for the government to continue with its strategy, and it will do so until general elections in 2008 at any political cost - the benefits will be for all and will serve as the heritage for the next generation," said Karamanlis.

Candidates who with a plurality of at least 42 per cent of the votes in Sunday's first round will secure victory, while the remaining prefecture posts will be decided in a second-round election on October 22.

Final nationwide results for thousands of mayoral and local prefectures in villages and towns around the country are not expected before Monday.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency