Number: RS20575
Title: GREECE: ELECTION UPDATE
Authors: Carol Migdalovitz, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Prime Minister Simitis of Greece called an early election for April 9, 2000 because he believed that his government's achievement in meeting the criteria for entry into the European Monetary Union (EMU) would return his PanHellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party to power. PASOK's narrow victory endorsed Simitis's decision, but the opposition New Democracy's (ND's) strong showing also validated Costas Karamanlis's leadership of that party. The election continued a trend toward bipolarism, as votes for smaller parties, except for the Communists, declined appreciably.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated June 9, 2000