Bakoyannis concedes defeat in Athens mayoral race
Incumbent Athens mayor Kostas Bakoyannis accepted defeat in Sunday’s runoff municipal election, after a majority of the votes counted showed his PASOK-backed opponent, Haris Doukas, achieved a comfortable win.
With 97.27% of the results in, Doukas had secured 55.96% of the votes, versus 44.04% for Bakoyannis.
“A while ago I contacted Mr Doukas and congratulated him warmly on the great victory. I am solely responsible for the outcome… I thank the Athenians for the opportunity they gave me to serve them. I’m leaving the town hall with my head held high,” Bakoyannis said in a statement to the press.
“My team and I are at his absolute disposal for an organized and serious transition,” he added.
The result constitutes a political upset, as Bakoyannis, endorsed by the ruling New Democracy party, came first with 41.35% in the first round last Sunday, ahead of Doukas’ 14.19%.
