ND hits back at IIF report on elections
New Democracy reacted angrily on Friday to a report by the Institute of International Finance (IIF), which suggested that the conservatives and PASOK would have to form a post-election government or call on an administration of technocrats if Greece is going to stick to the terms of its bailout and remain in the euro.
The report also indicated that the two-party coalition would have trouble receiving wide public support for its actions, given that the anti-memorandum parties would win the majority of votes on Sunday.
The IIF report also suggested that if the post-election landscape is too fragmented for a coalition government to be formed, an administration of technocrats should take over the running of the country in order to ensure stability.
ND spokesman Yiannis Michelakis issued a statement condemning the IIF?s report and suggesting that it was an attempt to interfere in the elections. ?We are greatly surprised by the references to the Greek elections on May 6 in the IIF?s report,? he said. ?We remind the authors of the report that we have a democracy in Greece and we do not need anyone?s instructions.?
Michelakis, however, did not comment on a statement by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble that Greece would have to ?bear the consequences? if its voters elected a new government that does not respect commitments made by the outgoing coalition. Schaeuble also noted that European Union membership is ?voluntary.?
New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras rounded off the election campaign with a rally in Alexandroupoli, northeastern Greece. The conservative chief repeated his message to voters to give his party a clear majority.
Interior Minister Tassos Yiannitsis said he expects about 12 percent of polling stations will have delivered results by 9.30 p.m. on Sunday. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. A total of 9,850,802 are registered to vote. Almost 360,000 people will be able to vote for the first time
