ATHENS, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) led by George Papandreou won Sunday's general elections in Greece with a wide margin that allows the formation of a majority government, according to the first official results.
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou (Front) smiles in congratulations from his supporters in central Athens, capital of Greece, on Oct. 4, 2009. The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) led by George Papandreou won Sunday's general elections in Greece with a wide margin that allows the formation of a majority government, according to the first official results. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Photo Gallery>>>
PASOK under Papandreou, who follows in the steps of his father and grandfather and will become prime minister for the first time, is expected to gain 43.8 percent of the votes that amounts to 160 of the 300- seats parliament, the Interior Ministry estimates.
"We call upon all Greeks and the progressive forces to join forces in order to change course for the benefit of Greece. Nothing will be easy, but together we can and we will face the problems," Papandreou said in his first statement after the announcement of the preliminary results.
Supporters of the Greek Panhellenic Socialist Movement Party (PASOK) led by George Papandreou celebrate victory in Athens, capital of Greek, Oct. 4, 2009. The Greek main opposition PASOK party led by George Papandreou have garnered a large enough percentage of the vote on Sunday to form a self-sufficient government in Greece, according to the first unified exit poll carried out for a Greek general election. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Photo Gallery>>>
The former foreign minister already received congratulatory phone calls for the landslide victory from many foreign leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero and Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias.
The conservative New Democracy party (ND) with Costas Karamanlis as its leader, who has served two times as prime minister the past five and half years, is expected to receive 33.8 percent of the national vote that gives it 92 seats. It is a historic low for the party since its founding three decades ago.
Acknowledging his responsibility for the result which is due to his handling of the economic crisis and the scandals that plagued ND, Karamanlis announced that he will resign from the party's leadership. He congratulated Papandreou, wishing every success for the country.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) remains the third party in parliament, winning 7.6 percentages of votes that amounts to 21 seats.
Far right People's Orthodox Rally (LAOS) is estimated to receive 5.6 percent of votes, winning 15 seats in parliament.
Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) is expected to receive 4.5 percent of votes that gives the party 12 seats in parliament.
Green Ecologists party is expected to receive 2.5 percent of votes, but will fail to enter parliament due to the 3 percent threshold required by electoral law.
