Athens (CNN) -- Greece's center-right, pro-bailout New Democracy party led early returns and exit polls after parliamentary elections Sunday, but not by a margin that would allow it to form a government on its own.
With 35% of the votes counted, New Democracy led its top rival, the left-wing Syriza coalition, by a 31.5%-26% margin. New Democracy has pledge to continue the unpopular bailout program, while Syriza has vowed to tear it up.
The results could decide the fate of the euro, a currency used by 325 million people across 17 countries in Europe.
Sunday's vote was called after Greece's leading parties failed to form a government after earlier elections in May. Exit polls by a consortium of Greek television networks indicated New Democracy would end up on top, giving it the first chance to form a government.
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But if the exit poll figures were borne out by the count, New Democracy would end up with 127 seats in the 300-seat parliament -- not enough to form a government outright, leading to another round of coalition talks.
The socialist Pasok party, New Democracy's former coalition partner, was running third with about 13% of the vote. The Independent Greeks were running fourth at 7.4%, while the far-right Golden Dawn appeared headed for a fifth-place finish at 7%. Bringing up the rear were the Democratic Left at 6%, followed by the Communists at 4.4%.
Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras says he'll reject the conditions attached to massive international loans that are keeping Greece from defaulting on its debts. Support for his party soared on the back of Greek anger at government budget cuts imposed by international lenders, but reopening the agreement would set up a confrontation with Europe that analysts say could lead to a run on Greek banks.
"Today we open the path towards a better tomorrow, with our people united, dignified and proud -- to a Greece where there's social justice and progress -- an equal member of a Europe that's changing," Ts
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/17/world/europe/greece-election/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Realist - Everybody in America is soft, and hates conflict. The cure for this, both in politics and social life, is the same -- hardihood. Give them raw truth.
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