Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-04-08

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Election Day - Political leaders - Vote

[01] Election Day - Political leaders - Vote

Greek voters prepared to head to elections booths throughout the country on Sunday for Parliamentary elections ushering in a new government.

Incumbent Premier Costas Simitis˘ PASOK party is expected to vie for the government with main opposition New Democracy party, led by Costas Karamanlis. A host of several smaller parties ˇ three of which were represented in Parliament of the last term ˇ will also be on the ballot. Among the other parties vying for seats in Greece˘s 300-member Parliament are the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Coalition of the Left and the Democratic Social Movement.

Simitis is scheduled to vote in a working-class Piraeus district, while Karamanlis will vote in Thessaloniki. Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos will cast his vote in his hometown of Patra, western Greece.

Outright campaigning and broadcast ads are outlawed the day before the poll and during election day, thereby giving voters and candidates a more-or-less quiet and contemplating Saturday to enjoy. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents from both the greater Athens area and Thessaloniki were continuously heading to the provinces on Saturday in order to vote in their home districts, as planes, ships and roadways filled with travelers over the weekend.

No major delays or mishaps were reported at press time.

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