Beach beats ballot in Greek Euro vote

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Greek sea

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With over 98% of the votes in the European parliamentary elections counted the winner of the 2009 countdown seems to be the beach as voters across the country fled the cities and enjoyed the good weather. Greece racked up a record low turnout yesterday with 48% deciding not to cast their ballot even though, theoretically voting is compulsory.

In the northern port city of Thessaloniki the temperatures were in the low 30s with just a few wisps of clouds to disturb the azure blue sky, a tour operator's dream and a nightmare for Greek politicians. Unlike say, Britain where good weather ensures a higher turnout at the polls, the perfect summer's day sent voters in Greece's second city rushing to the seaside to enjoy the country's famed natural beauty.

In the gritty working class neighbourhood of Sykies local polling station was quiet as quiet with just a trickle of people coming in and out to cast their votes. In contrast during the last national elections the school was abuzz with commotion and movement as people desperately looked for places to park their car or chat with friends and neighbours. As is the case in Greece, civic duty then had the air of a carnival with people enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Despite the fact the turnout is likely to be much higher than in many other EU countries many political leaders are anxiously awaiting not just the results for their particular party but also the percentage of absentee votes.

After two years of almost non - stop accusations of corruption and mismanagement the ruling New Democracy party's standing in the polls has taken a battering. However, considering how many times the party's name has been implicated in graft and influence peddling scandals things could be worst.In the end conservative ruling party received 32% of the vote, down 13% from 2004.

It’s main rival, the centre left PASOK party, led by Giorgos Papandreou increased its share of the vote to 36%, up just 2% from 2004. Probably, reflecting the fact that the party has also been facing corruption charges concerning its last stint in power when it allegedly accepted bribes from German electronics giant Siemens over contracts for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) came in third with 8%, followed by the far right LAOS party which received 7%.

The record low turnout has been seen by many political analysts in Greece as a vote of confidence in the present political system which has been hit by a series of scandals since the re-election of prime minister Kostas Karamanlis in 2007. Despite an expensive electoral campaign which saw political leaders criss cross the country in the days leading up to Sunday’s elections voters remain unmoved by their claims and chose the beach instead.