The risk of
Greece being thrown into the deepest and most dramatic crisis after the 2008
financial crisis looms with the parliament's rejection of the presidential
candidate, forcing the country to face new election, the fourth in six years.
Dimas was
backed by 168 lawmakers in the 300-seat chamber, short of the minimum
requirement of 180 votes. The parliament will be dissolved, and elections will
be held on January 25.
Samaras'
failure to push through his pro-EU candidate, and the prospects of a win for
the left-wing Syriza party, may lead to a new period of political turmoil just
as Greece emerges from economic crisis and returns to economic growth.
Samaras has
been implementing a number of austerity measures as dictated by Greece's
international creditors in return for a EUR240 billion bailout. But Alexis
Tsipras, leader of the radical leftist party Syriza, wants Athens to
renegotiate the bailout deal with the European Union and International Monetary
Fund.
He wants to
wipe out a big part of the national debt, and a clash of interests could upset
the country's relations with its lenders.
"Austerity
will be a thing of the past," according to Tsipras, while Samaras
expressed concern over "the deepest and most dramatic crisis."
Athens
shares touched a two-year low and investors sold out Greek 10-year bonds as the
current ruling coalition is expected to resign.
(Πηγή: rttnews.com)
