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A boy helps his father to cast his ballot at a polling station in Athens, Greece, 06 May 2012. Photo by BGNES
The EU and Germany have made it clear Greece must stick to the commitments it has entered into for the two EU/IMF bailouts, whatever the line-up of its next government.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert spelt out Berlin's position that "the agreed programs must be adhered to".
He added that Germany would support Athens in returning to competitiveness and financial stability, "whatever its government is".
Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece's reforms were of "utmost importance".
Meanwhile European Commission spokeswoman Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen said Brussels "hopes and expects that the future government of Greece will respect the engagement that Greece has entered into".
She said the Commission was ready to help Athens with its "ongoing reform agenda".
The two main parties, New Democracy and Pasok, attracted less than a third of the vote as people backed anti-austerity parties, plunging Greece into political uncertainty and renewing questions about its future in the euro zone.
New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras will now face a struggle finding parties prepared to join a government.
With about 99% of votes counted, centre-right New Democracy (ND) is leading with 18.9%, down from 33.5% in 2009.
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Eurostat data indicates that Greece (161.9%), Italy (137.3%), France (110.6%), Spain (107.7%), and Belgium reported the highest public debt-to-GDP ratios among EU member states by the conclusion of 2023
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In a significant affirmation of Bulgaria's path towards Eurozone accession, European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni has confirmed the European Commission's support for Bulgaria's admission to the Eurozone in 2025
Opposition parties critical of President Maia Sandu's pro-European stance have joined forces in Moscow, forming a pre-election bloc with ambitions to contest upcoming presidential elections and a pivotal referendum on EU membership
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson conducted an inspection of border control measures at Sofia Airport, marking a significant step in Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area by air
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A senior Hamas official has conveyed the movement's readiness to entertain a five-year truce with Israel, agreeing to disarm and transition into a political entity on the condition of Palestinian statehood recognition within the pre-1967 borders
The presidential election landscape in North Macedonia is poised for a runoff between Gordana Siljanovska, representing VMRO-DPMNE, and Stevo Pendarovski, backed by SDSM
Poland has announced its readiness to assist Ukraine in its conflict against Russia by facilitating the return of Ukrainian men of conscription age
The European Parliament has approved the EU's inaugural directive aimed at regulating the employment rights of individuals working through online platforms
In recent years, Moldova has been faced with the challenge of reducing its dependency on Russian gas imports.
As the Hungarian forint experiences volatility, German investors are increasingly advocating for Hungary to adopt the euro, reaching the highest level of support in over a decade
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