by Kostis Geropoulos ATHENS – Greece’s Prime Minister and leader of the conservative New Democracy party Antonis Samaras conceded defeat to Alexis Tsipras, leader of the left-wing Syriza party, but vowed to play a very decisive role in guaranteeing the European course of the Mediterranean country and of the reforms which have to be implemented. “The Greek people have spoken and we all, of course, respect their decision,” he told a packed press conference at the Zappeio Hall with a lot of foreign journalists, including from EU countries as well as Russia and China. “I was asked to take burning coals in my hand which I did. Most people said that there was no chance of us standing the test but we did,” he said. “We have taken very difficult measures, we have made mistakes, there have been injustices, but we have averted the worse. I hand over today a country which does not have a deficit, a country which is secure for its citizens and we, therefore, are able to say that we can move out of the crisis. And I hand over a country more importantly which is a member of the European Union and the euro. Now for the good of this country I do hope that the next government in terms of this acquis, of what has been acquired, can in fact be put into good use and I have a clear conscience as well because I told the truth to the Greek people right until the very end,” Samaras said, overcome with emotion. Marietta Giannakou, a former New Democracy minister and parliamentarian of the EU and Greek parliaments, told New Europe at the Zappeio Hall that Greece’s negotiating position is within the framework outlined in the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) and in the European rules. “It will be difficult to have a negotiating position that is outside the basic rules. At any rate, the new government will have to show realism and an effort that is needed to reach an understanding among the political forces so that we find some common lines because this has so far has cost us – the fact that there has been any,” Giannakou said. She said Greek people voted against austerity. “The government had to adopt some very difficult measures. A big part of the Greek people voted for that reason the other side,” Giannakou said. She expressed confidence that the new government will also preserve Greece’s European course. “All of us that believe in Europe and we think that Greece’s position is firm there, have to operate with that target. The fact that Syriza does not also question the European course and Greece’s position in the eurozone and the international institutions is also good,” Giannakou said. “Because of different conditions that have been shaped, the situation could take a turn for the worse. But I believe that Europe will also accept and it has accepted – that’s the case in a democracy – whichever government has been chosen by the Greek people. This government will negotiate; this government will talk with the European institutions and the lenders.” A few blocks from Zappeion, appearing before a throng of supporters outside Athens University, said the new government will negotiate with its partners for the first time. Syriza party appeared to be bracing for a bigger battle as Tsipras declared victory in the election on January 25. But it was still too close to call whether Syriza would win a majority of seats -- a key step that would allow the party to govern without forming a coalition government. French diplomats told New Europe that Paris hopes that a government will be formed as soon as possible. “We want to work together and avoid escalation,” a diplomat said. Meanwhile in Moscow, Mikhail Emelyanov, first deputy head of the Duma committee on economic relations, said earlier in the day that the very fact that Syriza is able to attract so many votes means that for the European establishment the crisis is not only in Greece but Europe as a whole and underlying the crisis is the political system in Europe. See also: Anti austerity win in Greek elections Pittella. Greece sends a clear message to the EU: Stop austerity 'Hope is coming, fear is fleeing' says Podemos after SYRIZA win
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