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Voters prepare for Greece polls Voting begins in Greek elections
(about 14 hours later)
Greeks are preparing to vote in a general election, weeks after their country was ravaged by wildfires that left more than 60 people dead. Greeks are going to the polls in a general election, weeks after wildfires left more than 60 people dead.
The main challenge to Prime minister Kostas Karamanlis and his centre-right party, New Democracy, is the socialist Pasok party, led by George Papandreou.The main challenge to Prime minister Kostas Karamanlis and his centre-right party, New Democracy, is the socialist Pasok party, led by George Papandreou.
Mr Karamanlis faced criticism over his handling of the fires, but analysts say he remains favourite to win. Mr Karamanlis faced criticism over his handling of the fires, but analysts say he remains favourite to win after calling early elections.
Polling stations open at 0700 local time (0400 GMT) on Sunday. Polls close at 1900 (1600GMT) with the first results expected soon after.
Mr Karamanlis, who called the early election in August, had been expected to triumph in the poll. Mr Karamanlis had been expected to triumph in the poll, after calling elections six months before the end of his term of office.
But many Greeks felt the government was slow to react to the raging wildfires, and support for his party began to wane.But many Greeks felt the government was slow to react to the raging wildfires, and support for his party began to wane.
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Athens, says all the indications are that New Democracy will do well.The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Athens, says all the indications are that New Democracy will do well.
Voters' voices
But he says it is unclear whether it will get an overall majority in the 300-seat parliament.But he says it is unclear whether it will get an overall majority in the 300-seat parliament.
Mr Karamanlis has said he will not consider a coalition as he needs a strong mandate to continue his reforms.
The Papandreou and Karamanlis families have dominated the Greek political scene for most of the past 50 years.The Papandreou and Karamanlis families have dominated the Greek political scene for most of the past 50 years.
But analysts say smaller parties have been gaining support in the run-up to the election.But analysts say smaller parties have been gaining support in the run-up to the election.
The far-right Laos party is expected to cross the 3% threshold needed to gain seats in parliament for the first time.
Mr Karamanlis has said that the party is "extreme" and has ruled a coalition deal with them or any other party, saying he would prefer to call new elections if he wins without achieving an overall majority in parliament.