Greece elections: Pro-bailout conservative party leads, show official projections

Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party positioned to take 18 parliamentary seats

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Official projections in Greece’s election show the conservative New Democracy party as coming in first and could gather enough support to form a pro-bailout coalition to keep the country in the eurozone.

Sunday’s vote is seen as crucial for Europe and the world. Although no party will win enough seats in the 300-member parliament to form a government on its own, official projections show the two traditional parties — New Democracy and the socialist PASOK — would have enough seats to form a coalition together.

The projections showed New Democracy as winning 29.5 percent and 128 seats. The radical left Syriza party, which has vowed to repeal Greece’s international bailout conditions, is expected in second place with 27.1 percent and 72 seats. PASOK trails with 12.3 percent and 33 seats.

The official projection has also showed the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party garnered 6.95 percent of the vote and 18 seats.

To form a majority government, a coalition would need at least 151 seats.