Greek Communist Party

Following the earlier re-election of Konstantinos Tasoulas as parliamentary speaker, MPs have selected seven deputy speakers from five of the eight parties represented in the chamber.

The nominees from the extreme-right parties Niki and Spartans, as well as from anti-establishment Course of Freedom, failed to garner enough votes to be elected deputy speakers.

Greece's new Parliament was sworn in on Monday, following the general elections held on June 25. The ceremony took place in the presence of Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Following the religious oath, Muslim members of Parliament swore on the Quran, while those who preferred to do so, took the political oath.

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C) greets supporters after the announcement of the first results in the general elections, at the party's HQ in Athens, 25 June 2023. Photo EPA-EFE/ALEXANDROS VLACHOS

"We have a strong mandate and a parliamentary majority and our government will be a government of hard work and practical results," Mitsotakis said.

New Democracy is leading in the vote of Greeks living overseas, as counting of ballot boxes from the 35 foreign countries where polling stations were set up continues.

Greek Communist Party secretary-general Dimitris Koutsoumpas voted in Lamia on Sunday and called on Greek voters to give his party a strong mandate.

"Until voting stations close tonight we must all be there to make the Greek Communist Party strong and take it higher, as this is the only way to have a strong, popular, combative opposition," he said.

Leader of New Democracy party Kyriakos Mitsotakis greets people at a rally in Thessaloniki, Greece, 21 June 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/ACHILLEAS CHIRAS

Almost a month ago, Mitsotakis emerged as the big winner of May 21 elections, taking 40.83 per cent of the vote and leaving his main rival, Alexis Tsipras, and the left-wing party SYRIZA far behind on 20.07 per cent.

Yiannis Markopoulos, one of Greece's most influential composers, was laid to rest on Thursday after a funeral service held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. 

Five political leaders of the parties that managed to gain parliamentary representation in the May 21 elections will cross swords in a televised debate starting at 9 p.m. on Thursday.

The leaders of the five parties contesting the June 25 election after making it into Parliament in the May 21 ballot will be locking horns in a televised debate, it was announced on Tuesday.

The debate will be aired by state broadcaster ERT on June 15, the Interparty Committee, which met at the Interior Ministry in Athens on Tuesday morning, decided.

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis resumed his pre-election campaign tour on Tuesday, after testing negative for Covid. Mitsotakis posted a photo on his personal Instagram account with the negative test result, calling it "The good news of the day."

He had tested positive for the virus on Friday and had to cancel several events, including a planned trip to Mount Athos.