May 2012 Greek legislative election

It is all but certain that the election for the leadership of the socialist PASOK party will be decided in a runoff.

It is also almost certain that PASOK will be the de facto main opposition to the ruling New Democracy, even though it is still lagging SYRIZA in the number of MPs, with 32 to 35. But further defections from SYRIZA could change that.

Just a day before the campaign period for the European elections ends, rival political parties have set their respective thresholds for relative success.

New Democracy (ND), SYRIZA, PASOK and KKE are holding their main pre-election rallies next week in Athens and Thessaloniki ahead of the June 9 European elections.

Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to give a speech in ND's main pre-election rally at Syntagma square, in Athens on Friday, June 7. He will also appear at Thessaloniki on Wednesday, June 5. 

See who has a lead in the battle for the vote - One point up for ND in 12 days - SYRIZA is the same - PASOK has fallen further - PASOK is down again

A total of 32 parties, coalitions and independents have been given the green light to contest the June 25 general election, following a decision by the Supreme Court on Thursday evening.

The names of the electoral entities are (in alphabetical order):

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she expected Greece would be able to return to financial markets after it emerged from a multi-billion euro bailout program last year.