(21 May 2023)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Athens – 21 May 2023
1. Wide of arrival of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the polling station
2. Various of Mitsotakis casting his ballot at the polling station, and then waving to reporters, taking pictures and greeting supporters
3. Mitsotakis meeting a crowd of reporters and supporters
4. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister:
“Today, we vote for our future, for higher wages, for more and better jobs. We vote for a more effective public health system, for a fairer society, for a stronger country, which plays an important role in Europe, with protected borders. Elections are the celebration of democracy, who will be responsible for running the country is now in your (the voters’) hands. I am completely sure that an even better day will dawn for our country.  Thank you.”
5. Various of Mitsotakis greeting supporters, thanking them and leaving polling station


STORYLINE:
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis voted in the country's general election Sunday, as he greeted supporters and reiterated that the future of the country lies in voters' hands.

A former banking executive, the 55-year-old Harvard graduate was born into a political dynasty that produced a former prime minister, a former foreign minister and the current Mayor of Athens.

Mitsotakis has led New Democracy — Greece's right-of-center pole for the past half century — since 2016, steering it closer to the political center with a pro-reform and pro-business agenda.

Elected prime minister in 2019, he has been credited with Greece's successful handling of the pandemic and of two crises with neighboring Turkey, while overseeing high growth and job creation. But a wiretapping scandal and a railway disaster damaged his ratings.

Nevertheless, Mitsotakis has argued against any post-electoral coalition deal, saying Greece needs a strong government to ensure stability and a return to investment grade for its bonds — ending the last salient reminder of the 2009-2018 financial crisis.

Going to a second election would suit him due to the seat bonus, though he's suggested that a third election might be on the cards, if needed.

AP video shot by Srdjan Nedeljkovic and Boris Pilipenko

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