The coalition government’s hopes were dashed when Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Elena Kountoura, and independent MPs Vyron Polydoras, Petros Tatsopoulos, Mimis Androulakis, Nikos Tsoukalis and even Nicky Founda voted present.
Read background to story by clicking HERE
Samaras: “Unfortunately a minority of 132 MPs want elections”
Following the election outcome, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said that “we did all we can to avert early elections, which entail serious dangers,” while he claimed that “the great majority” oppose early elections. The Greek Premier added that “a minority of 132 MPs, amongst which SYRIZA and Golden Dawn, are dragging the country to elections".
Bakoyanni: "General elections against the will of the Greek people"
New Democracy’s Dora Bakoyanni claimed that the opposition forced the general elections “against the will of the Greek people” and estimated that the elections would take place under very difficult financial circumstances.
Tsipras: “A historic day for Greek democracy”
Main opposition party (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras, who was pleased with the outcome of the vote, commented that it was “a historic day for Greek democracy” and that “the future has begun”. Mr. Tsipras also expressed his sorrow for the dramatic incident at sea and praised the rescue efforts.
Kouvelis: “Today is the start of new developments”
On his way out of Parliament, the leader of the Democratic Left party (DIMAR) Fotis Kouvelis told reporters that “the government chose to bring national elections forward with the Presidential election. Today will be the start of new developments” and that the “country ought to turn a page and attain a progressive nature”.
Theodorakis: “Now it is the time of the people”
The leader of The River Stavros Theodorakis said that “the professionals of politics have played their political games guided by the partisan stubbornness. Now it is the time of the people.” He called the Greek people to defy “blind partisanship” claiming his party is ready for the major challenges.
Kammenos: “The Samaras-Venizelos parenthesis has closed”
The president of the Independent Greeks party (ANEL) Panos Kammenos pointed out that "the Samaras-Venizelos parenthesis has closed, the duo that surrendered Greece's sovereignty is finally abandoning the government”. He said that his party ANEL “acted as regulators and will now act as guarantors”, while calling for a national consensus.
Venizelos: “We must secure the Greek people’s dramatic sacrifices”
PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos expressed his concern over the developments in the Adriatic Sea and praised the efforts of the Hellenic Armed Forces in Greece and Italy. He then opined that the snap elections “were forced” and that future of the economy is uncertain, while he said that “we must ensure the dramatic sacrifices of the Greek people” and that “PASOK will be the guarantor of orderly developments”.
Koutsoumpas: “We have paid enough for the lies of the EU parties”
The general secretary of Communist Party (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumpas stressed that “we have paid enough for the lies of the EU parties. We have bled enough for the monopolies” and called for popular support in the upcoming general elections.
Tatsopoulos: “We must avoid polarization in election period”
Following the conclusion of the vote in Parliament, independent MP Petros Tatsopoulos told Mega Channel the vote resulted in “a very extreme polarization” and added that “it would be good to not cultivate that climate in the election campaign period”.
Posts
