AP News, November 12th, 2007
The heir to one of Greece's two political dynasties safeguarded his family's legacy Sunday, handily winning re-election as leader of the Socialist party despite an electoral defeat two months ago.
George Papandreou's grandfather and father were two of Greece's most influential postwar prime ministers. His father, Andreas Papandreou, known for his charisma and anti-U.S. rhetoric, founded Socialist PASOK and led it from 1974 until his death in 1996.
Greece has had a Papandreou or a Karamanlis as prime minister for 30 of the 45 years of democratic governance since 1955. From 1967-74, Greece had military dictatorship. The current prime minister, Costas Karamanlis, is the nephew of the late conservative Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis.
Papandreou's win marks a striking comeback following his party's loss in parliamentary elections in September, its worst in 30 years. The defeat threw the party into turmoil, and early on in the campaign Papandreou seemed sure to lose his position.
"This result is a mandate that commits all of us," Papandreou said in his victory speech.
Senior party official Giorgos Anomeritis said that, with 25 percent of votes counted at nearly 1,500 election centers nationwide, Papandreou had taken 60 percent. His main challenger, Evangelos Venizelos, took 33 percent. A third candidate, Costas Skandalidis, trailed with about 6 percent.
"The majority of voters again chose George Papandreou as PASOK's leader," Venizelos said in conceding defeat. "I'd like to thank all of them, independently of their choice. ... Our common target is PASOK's victory and we will fight together for that cause."
Papandreou's apparently easy victory belied a tortuous day of voting, plagued by computer glitches and delays at centers around the country.
Voting hours were extended by more than two hours to help officials cope, and precinct workers — many of them volunteers — were burdened by last-minute voters and the need to register many voters before they cast ballot.
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Associated Press Writer Maria Paschoula contributed to this report.
