ATHENS, October 4 (RIA Novosti) - Greece's Socialist opposition party PASOK is leading in Sunday's parliamentary election in the Mediterranean country with 43.1% of the vote, the Interior Ministry said.
With over 250,000 of the ballots (3.3%) counted, the ruling conservative New Democracy party led by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is gaining 37.1%, and should the tendency preserve, PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) will be able to form a one-party government.
The Communists (KKE) are in third place with 7% of the vote, and the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) has 3.9%.
Exit polls gave PASOK 41-44% of the vote and New Democracy 34.3-37.3%, which gives PASOK led by former foreign minister George Papandreou an absolute majority of 151-159 seats in the country's 300-seat parliament.
New Democracy would thus have 94-100 seats in the new parliament as the winner receives a 40-seat bonus.
According to exit polls, the Communists are gaining 7.3-8.3% and 20-22 seats, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 5-6% and 14-16 seats, and SYRIZA 3.9%-4.9% with 11-13 seats.
A total of 12,000 people at 150 polling stations took part in the exit polls conducted by seven pollsters on a request from leading national TV stations.
Greece currently faces increasing unemployment rates and one of the biggest public debts in the euro zone, amounting to nearly 100% of its GDP. Its budget deficit almost doubled the euro zone maximum of 3% and continues to grow.
Karamanlis, 53, has said an austerity program, which would include cutting budget expenses and freezing wages and pensions, is the only way to compensate for the impact of the global financial crisis on the Greek economy.
His opponent Papandreou, 57, has said the economy needs a stimulus package to spur the GDP growth. Under Papandreou's plan, about 2-3 billion euro ($3-4.3 billion) would be allocated to stimulate the economy, followed by significant investment into infrastructure projects, science and education. He has also pledged a tax system reform and anti-corruption measures.
The ruling party has dismissed PASOK's program as "populist." Both Karamanlis and Papandreou come from political dynasties and are facing off in the national elections for a third time. The previous two encounters were won by Karamanlis.
Greek TV channels showed hundreds of PASOK supporters celebrating the victory of their party in downtown Athens. New Democracy said comments can be made when official results appear.
