Roundup: Greek political leaders suggest "wise choices"

Greek political leaders called on Greek voters to make "wise choices" on Sunday, as the crucial legislative ballots are set to close at 19:00 p.m. local time (1700 GMT). Exit polls are expected shortly afterwards, the first official estimates before midnight and final results on Monday.

About 9.8 million registered voters are eligible to participate in the elections nationwide which are running with no major problems, the Interior Ministry said.

"I hope Greek people who have big experience in elections will select the best to represent them in the next parliament. I believe that the coming years will be difficult, therefore national unity and calm must prevail," President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias said after casting his ballot in the northwestern city of Ioannina.

Sunday's snap elections which were brought forward 18 months earlier after the previous parliament in December failed to elect Papoulias' successor, have turned into a referendum, analysts noted, on whether Greece should continue on the fiscal adjustment and reform path agreed with international lenders five years ago or change course.

The same dilemma was put on table in the 2012 double general elections which resulted in a conservative-led ruling coalition with the socialists.

This time, according to the last opinion polls, anti-bailout radical left SYRIZA party was expected to win, falling short of parliamentary majority to form a one-party government.

SYRIZA has lately softened its rhetoric over the harsh terms of the bailout which expires in late February, but still requests a fresh write -off of part of Greece's sovereign debt which has refueled fears of a possible Greek default and exit from the euro zone.

"These elections are decisive for our future and the future of our children. Today we decide whether we will move forward with strength, security and certainty or whether we will enter adventures ... I am optimistic, because I believe that nobody will risk our country's European course," incumbent Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Sunday, after casting his ballot at the southern Peloponnese peninsula city of Pylos.

"Greek people are called to decide with determination to complete the step for the return of hope, the end of fear, the return of democracy and dignity to our country," SYRIZA party leader Alexis Tsipras said after casting his ballot in central Athens.

"I am optimistic. Today will be a historic day. I believe Greek people will make the final step and dignity will be restored ... Democracy and social cohesion will return to Greece. Our future in Europe is not the future of austerity, but the future of Democracy, solidarity and collaboration," he added.

Pollsters forecast that seven parties will pass the 3 percent threshold requested to enter the 300-member strong parliament, under the Greek Constitution and electoral legislation.

SYRIZA's most likely coalition partner, according to political analysts in Athens, was the centrist River (Potami) party led by TV journalist Stavros Theodorakis who supports change in Greece with cautious steps.

"It is a huge opportunity this change to be on the right direction. To vote for those who have the knowledge and the courage and they have proved it. We must not give ground to those that do not respect democracy, avoid new adventures. We must change everything without destroying the country," he said after casting his ballot at the city of Chania on Crete island.

The River was vying for the third place against the far-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) party which seemed to be holding ground despite the judicial crackdown which started in autumn 2013 following the murder of a leftist anti-fascist activist.

The anti-bailout Communist party KKE, the socialists of PASOK led by outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, the nationalistic Independent Greeks and the Democrat Socialists' Movement founded in early January by socialist former prime minister George Papandreou (2009-2011) were expected to enter the new assembly.

Worn out by prolonged recession which ended in 2014 and populism which have cost Greeks dearly in recent years, voters were expressing mixed feelings of anger, disappointment and optimism on Sunday.

Maria Evangelou, a 30-year old secretary, told Xinhua that she voted with one key criterion on her mind: the less bad solution.

"I was disappointed by most parties. They ran a campaign with vague programs, fuelling fear or hope, but I failed to notice concrete arguments," she said.

"I am afraid that the day after will not bring essential changes. I only hope that the next government will be honest with people," unemployed Christina Farazi said.

Pensioner Stratos Tzouvaras feared a post- election impasse which could lead to a second round of elections, as was the case in 2012.

"I am afraid that if political parties will not cooperate we will soon go to polls again. It would be a nightmare for the country. Casting my ballot today I wanted to punish all those who brought us into this situation," he told Xinhua. Endit