Government defeated in Greek elections

Parliamentary elections on March 7 resulted in the right-wing 
New Democratic Party (Nea Dimokrati — ND) defeating the social 
democrat PASOK Government. ND won 165 seats (an increase of 40 
seats) and 45.38 percent (42.75% in 2000) of the vote. PASOK lost 
41 seats, leaving it with 117 deputies from 40.57 percent of the 
vote (43.79% in 2000). The turnout reached 76.5% of possible 
voters.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) increased the number of its 
MPs, electing 12 compared to 11 in the previous elections. It did 
so with a total of 5.91 percent of the vote. The only other party 
to win seats was the left-leaning Synaspismos with six seats and 
3.25 percent of the vote.

Dissatisfaction with PASOK was mainly directed to the New 
Democratic Party, with the combined vote of the two major parties 
remaining steady. A number of smaller parties, including extreme 
right and ultra left stood but failed to gain seats.

"Working people must hold no illusions about the policy that the 
government of ND will implement. At the same time they have 
nothing to expect from the opposition of PASOK, since PASOK 
already offered its support and consent to critical issues", the 
KKE said in a short statement following the election.

"The strengthening of the mass popular movement and the rallying 
of popular forces around major fronts of struggle become today 
even more urgent and necessary tasks, in order to accelerate the 
building of the Anti-imperialist Anti-monopoly Democratic Front 
which constitutes the alternative for the people. KKE will 
contribute its utmost to these tasks."

Meanwhile, some 2000 security personnel, including 400 US 
soldiers, are set to start a two-week anti-terrorism exercise as 
part of the preparations for the Olympic Games. The government 
has refused to reveal the exact legal status under which the US 
military personnel will function.