Political history of Greece

Center-left PASOK has every reason to celebrate Sunday's result as it has increased its share of the vote by 50 percent over two election cycles.

The sense of elation was not least felt by its leader Nikos Androulakis, who has strengthened his hand.

SYRIZA chief Alexis Tsipras refuted speculation that he may step down from the helm of the main opposition after suffering a second defeat in Sunday's ballot. 

"I will be judged the members of the party," Tsipras said in comments at SYRIZA headquarters in downtown Athens, indicating that a congress will be called within the next few months to decide on the leftists' fate.

The first exit poll by Kapa Research after Sunday's general elections, shows that Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his party have likely secured a safe outright majority to form a single-party government.

Polls in Greece closed at 7 p.m. on Sunday, and the exit polls show New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his conservative New Democracy defeating Alexis Tsipras' leftist SYRIZA party and securing an outright majority in Parliament. Stay with our live blog for the most up-to-date news and developments as results come in.

PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis called on Greeks to vote for his party on Sunday from the village of Arkalochori on Crete where he voted.

Party leaders have been hosting their traditional gatherings with political reporters ahead of Sunday's election.

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis gathered with journalists at a cafe on Ermou Street, in central Athens, where much of the conversation was said to have focused on the upcoming election results and developments in Russia.

The most likely outcome of Sunday's election is a victory by New Democracy with a percentage that will allow it to form a government by itself.

SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras met with visiting former US president Barack Obama on Thursday, with whom he discussed political developments.

A few days remain until the end of the most tiring pre-election period in recent decades, where the main role in the political debate was not played by the programs of the parties but by some statements made by members of New Democracy and SYRIZA.

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras claimed in his interview to the major TV outlets Sunday that conservative New Democracy wants to amplify its May 21 victory in the new election on June 25 to install an "unaccountable regime" with a weak, splintered opposition and says the upcomingpolls represent a stark choice between two vastly different government programs.