‘Greek right, left parties neck-and-neck’

Exit polls suggested that the New Democracy, which favors a European bailout deal, and the Syriza, which opposes austerity measures, both gathered between 27 and 30 percent of the votes on Sunday.

The voting comes after the first round of the elections in May failed to deliver a majority to any single party. Negotiations to form a coalition government also ended in failure.

Greece’s neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn has also been re-elected to parliament, according to exit polls which gave it between 6.0 and 7.5 percent of the vote.

Coalition talks are now ahead in Greece as no one party holds the majority; however the party that does come out on top will receive an extra 50 seats.

Meanwhile, the centre-left Pasok party, a potential partner for New Democracy in a pro-bailout government, polled 10-12 percent, with several smaller anti-bailout parties at 5-6 percent.

The outcome of the election could decide Greece’s future in the eurozone.

The development comes amid fears that a Greek exit from the euro could send shockwaves through global financial markets and drag down other ailing eurozone countries.

Many Greeks are angry with tough austerity measures attached to two international bailouts given to Greece to save the country’s failing economy.

Greece has been in recession for five years, with the economy having shrunk by 15 percent over the past three years, the longest-running slump in modern times.

PG/PKH/MA

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