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Greece's new parliament sworn in after snap elections

Xinhua, October 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece's new parliament convened Saturday, the first time after the Sept. 20 snap general elections, for its swearing-in ceremony.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' left-wing radical SYRIZA party and the right-wing Independent Greeks (ANEL) party, junior partner of the ruling coalition, now jointly control 155 seats.

In the 300-member assembly, 61 parliament members are newly elected and 59 legislators are women. The far-right Golden Dawn party remains the third largest party controlling 18 seats among eight parties represented in the new parliament.

Lawmakers will vote on a new round of tough austerity and reform measures within months in exchange of further aid by international creditors under the third bailout program approved this summer.

The first SYRIZA-ANEL government formed after January's polls had been teetering on the brink of collapse after the SYRIZA party split over the agreement on the new bailout in August, when Tsipras called the Sept. 20 elections.

Confidence vote on the new government will be held on Wednesday, the first crucial test for the new cabinet headed by the 41-year-old leftist leader.

Meanwhile, the parliament's speaker and vice speakers will be elected on Sunday, and Tsipras is expected to make his government policy statement on Monday. Endi