As Greeks vote today for the pivotal elections that may bring the first leftist government in Greece, party leaders voted at their respective polling stations, making statements after casting their ballot. SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras who looks like a sure winner in opinion polls, cast his vote at a polling station at the Athens district of Kypseli. An unprecedented crowd of cameras and microphones, along with hundreds of people, waited for the Prime Minister in waiting, as Greek and international media have called him. After casting his ballot, Tsipras stated, “Today, the Greek people are called to complete the step for the return of hope, the termination of fear and the return of democracy and dignity in our country.” Tsipras noted that, “Today we decide if tomorrow the troika will return to Greece for the measures Mr. Samaras has decided or if tomorrow the country will demand the return of dignity through a harsh negotiation”. He also added that, “The message is that our common future in Europe is not the future of austerity.” Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras voted in Pylos, Messinia, albeit with very few cameras and people. After casting his vote, he made the following statement: “These elections will determine our future and our children’s’ future. Today we decide whether we will move forward with strength, security and safety or we will get into trouble. An unprecedented large number of citizens are still undecided. They will be the ones to determine the result. I am optimistic because I believe that nobody will put the European course of our country at risk.” President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias called the national elections crucial, after exercising his voting right on Sunday at the northwestern Greek city of Ioannina. “I hope that Greek people who have a long experience will select the best to represent us in Parliament. However, since I believe that the coming years will be years with problems, I would say that we should all be united and calm in order to face this difficult situation. I believe and I reiterate that the people, the Greek people, have wisdom, knowledge and determination.” The general secretary of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), Dimitris Koutsoumbas, voted in the Athens neighborhood of Kallithea. Exiting the polling station, he said, “Go to vote with the hand on your heart and with an eye on the next day because all the Memoranda and the unpopular measures will still be in place.” PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos voted in his hometown of Thessaloniki. His statement to the Press was laconic: “I hope today the Greek people will make choices that will lead to something better.” “To Potami” founder Stavros Theodorakis cast his ballot in a polling station in his hometown of Chania, Crete. Exiting the station, Theodorakis said, “The country seems to have decided to change things and punish those who brought us to this situation, PASOK and New Democracy. It is our great chance that this change should be in the right direction. Let’s vote in favor of those who have knowledge and courage, but not encourage bullying. Let’s not get into dire situations. Let’s change everything without tearing down the country.” Former Prime Pinister and PASOK leader George Papandreou, who recently founded the Socialist Democrats Movement (KIDISO), voted in the northern Athens suburb of Nea Erythrea. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “We are at a critical crossroads. We can make ends meet and change Greece, relieve people of their burdens and put an end to clientelism that keeps us co-dependent. We can make it as long as there is the desire for understanding and cooperation. We Greeks can make our own plan for profound changes. It is important for the plan to be decided by the Greek people in a referendum. This is what our movement stands for. A strong voice in the House will guarantee that.”
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