New Democracy, Syriza Sit Atop Exit Poll Results
The center-right New Democracy party and left-wing Syriza coalition sat atop the field after Greece’s parliamentary elections Sunday, according to initial exit polls that gave the pro-bailout New Democracy a narrow edge.
Greek officials began to count ballots after the polls closed at 7 p.m. (noon ET). The exit polls, conducted by a consortium of Greek news outlets, showed New Democracy garnering between 27.5 to 30.5% of the vote; Syriza followed with 27 to 30%.
Greek’s socialist Pasok party trailed far behind with a projected 10-12%; the Independent Greeks and far-right Golden Dawn were running at 6-7.5%; and the Democratic Left and Communist Party were at the bottom with less than 7%.
The election could decide the fate of the euro, a currency used by 325 million people across 17 countries in Europe.