Karamanlis receives mandate to form new gov't
Photo: ..with Prime Minister Karamanlis at "Great Maximus" Government Residence, Athens 2004.
Greek Politic Elections, wins New Democraty Parti
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis exited the presidential mansion on Monday with a mandate to form a new Greek government, a day after voters swept him and ruling New Democracy (ND) back to power in the Sept. 16 election. "We are fully aware of our responsibilities towards the people, regardless of what they voted," Karamanlis said outside the presidential mansion and after his customary meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, the head of state assigned the task of allocating a government mandate. Ruling New Democracy (ND) party and Karamanlis were easily re-elected in Sunday's general elections in Greece, while the main opposition PASOK party slumped and the two leftist parties -- the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) -- posted a strong showing, nearly doubling their parliamentary seats. Moreover, the neophyte Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) became the latest newcomer to the expected five-party parliament that will emerge. Karamanlis again raised his party's standard of reforms, speaking to the nation in a televised statement in downtown Athens after ND clinched its re-election, saying that the outcome of the vote was a "clear mandate" by the people for his government to carry on with reforms and changes.