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1st LD Writethru: Greek conservative leader admits defeat in general polls, congratulates Leftists

Xinhua, September 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greek conservative New Democracy (ND) party leader Evangelos Meimarakis admitted on Sunday evening defeat in the general elections, the second for the country this year, and congratulated the winning Leftists in statements made to media after the release of exit polls.

Exit polls broadcast by national television ERT and other four private channels with the closing of the ballots gave the Radical Left SYRIZA party of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras 30-34 percent of votes versus 28.5- 32.5 percent for ND.

As the first official estimate based on the first official results was due to be announced by the Interior Ministry, and pollsters were indicating that SYRIZA's lead was irreversible, Meimarakis arrived at ND's headquarters in central Athens.

"The electoral battle we gave is over... The result seems to be a SYRIZA lead. I congratulate Mr. Tsipras and I call him to form a new government," the conservative leader said. Endit