Snap election in Greece sparks crisis fears

Concerns are mounting that Greece is heading for a political crisis that could jeopardise its financial rescue plan after the conservative-led government brought forward the date of a presidential vote
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DEBT SITUATION Bulk of Greece’s 240bn euros($294bn) in loans from EU run outthis year. Eurozone finance ministershave granted two-month extension n bailout to discuss whether Athens should impose more austerity cuts to qualify for final instalment of aid

GOVERNMENT GAMBLE Prime Minister Antonis Samaras(above) bringing forward date of presidential election in bid to end weeks of political uncertainty which has damaged confidence in Greek economic recovery

Vote: Conducted over three rounds from Dec 17-29.Governmenthas nominated Stavros Dimas as its candidate for President –role is mainly ceremonial but victory would give Samaras more time to seal new deal with lenders

OPPOSITION Syriza: Leftist mainopposition party led by Alexis Tsipras isahead in polls. Party seeking substantial cut to what Greece owes in rescue loans

General election: Must be called by early February if presidential vote proves inconclusive. Election victory for Syriza could result in loan default,lightening Greece’s debt burden but spooking international investors away from lending money to country for years. Some suggest it could cause Greece to fall out of euro union
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PARLIAMENT: Government needs support of 180 MPs to win presidential vote

300 seats

Ruling coalition: 155

New Democracy (Samaras): 127

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) 28

Syriza: 71

Golden Dawn: 16

Independent Greeks: 12

Communist: 12

Democratic Left: 10

Independent: 24
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Source: Wire agencies 

Pictures: Associated Press

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