Mitsotakis To Hand Back Mandate, New Election Likely In June

Greek Prime Minister has stated that he will hand back the mandate to form a gov't to President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, saying that "I think there is no condition to form a coalition government," and that he hopes snap elections can take place as soon as 25 June.

• Mitsotakis' centre-right New Democracy strongly outperformed pre-election opinion polling, securing over 40% of the vote and falling just short of an overall majority with an estimated 146 seats in the 300-member parliament.
• This election was run under a simple proportional system, meaning that it was almost impossible for any single party to emerge with a majority. However, the next election will run on a 'reinforced proportional' system in which the largest party wins bonus seats to boost its chances of holding a majority.
• If ND can match their performance in the 21 May vote in a snap election it will ensure Mitsotakis's party a comfortable majority in Parliament.
• For more information on the electoral system and post-election scenarios see our Political Risk team's Election Briefing.