Despite winning Sunday’s vote, the ruling New Democracy party has still not secured an absolute majority to govern.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he would not form a coalition government after his party’s victory in Sunday’s elections, but failed to secure a majority.
Mitsotakis is now hoping for a new election on June 25 after President Katerina Sakellaropoulou officially offered him the opportunity to form a coalition under the constitution.
His party, the centre-right New Democracy (ND), won 40.79% of the vote, double the left-wing opposition party Syriza at 20.07%.
The socialist party PASOK came third with 11.46%, while 61% of the population stood for ballot boxes on Sunday.
Using the proportional representation voting system meant that ND only won 146 seats out of 300, making it five less than a ruling majority.
The second round of elections will revert to the previous system which grants the first party 50 extra seats, ensuring that whoever wins the most votes will have a comfortable majority.
But Mitsotakis’ party performed better than expected and its margin of victory was the widest since 1974, when Greece’s first democratic elections were held after the fall of its seven-year military dictatorship.
Sunday’s election results were also a significant boost for his administration which has faced a wiretapping scandalthe pandemic, a cost of living crisis and a deadly crisis train accident which sparked protests.
“The dynamic of the outcome was more than clear: the citizens want a strong government, with a four-year term, (to carry out) bolder reforms,” Mitsotakis said after his victory, which he said gave his party the support of an “autonomous” government. rule.
Analyst Wolfango Piccoli told The Associated Press that Greek voters prioritize the economy and political stability over everything else.
“ND’s overwhelming performance is largely due to the positive track record on the economic front over the past four years,” Teneo’s senior political risk analyst told AP.
“Syriza’s inability to convey a coherent and credible economic plan has also helped Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his ND.”
Three of the largest parties will now receive a three-day mandate to form a coalition government.
If no political party chooses to work together, this will pave the way for the appointment of an interim government until the next election is called.
On Monday, PASOK spokesman Dimitris Mantzos told state broadcaster ERT: “I understand that there is no possibility of convergence or collaboration.”
“I think we can proceed with the second elections.”