Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has called for a national election ahead of schedule, as Greece struggles with the economic crisis. The move caught observers by surprise, as his scandal-plagued conservative New Democracy government clearly trails the main opposition socialist PASOK party in opinion polls. "I am seeking a fresh political mandate," Karamanlis said in a televised speech to the nation. "The consequences of the economic crisis are visible; we have two difficult, crucial years ahead of us," he added. Karamanlis gave no date but a senior government source said it would be held on October 4th.
The move caught observers by surprise, as his scandal-plagued conservative New Democracy government clearly trails the main opposition socialist PASOK party in opinion polls.
"I am seeking a fresh political mandate," Karamanlis said in a televised speech to the nation.
"The consequences of the economic crisis are visible; we have two difficult, crucial years ahead of us," he added.
Karamanlis gave no date but a senior government source said it would be held on October 4th.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has confirmed that a snap general election will be held on 4 October.He asked President Karolos Papoulias to dissolve parliament as of Monday, after announcing the election on Wednesday. Mr Karamanlis called for a new mandate to tackle the economy, but he has been hurt by financial scandals and the effects of recent wildfires. His conservative party has a majority of just one seat in parliament and has been trailing the opposition in polls. "I am seeking a fresh political mandate," Mr Karamanlis said on TV on Wednesday.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has confirmed that a snap general election will be held on 4 October.
He asked President Karolos Papoulias to dissolve parliament as of Monday, after announcing the election on Wednesday.
Mr Karamanlis called for a new mandate to tackle the economy, but he has been hurt by financial scandals and the effects of recent wildfires.
His conservative party has a majority of just one seat in parliament and has been trailing the opposition in polls.
"I am seeking a fresh political mandate," Mr Karamanlis said on TV on Wednesday.
