Greek citizens have voted in Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the New Democracy Party in today’s general elections. SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras has called Mitsotakis to congratulate him on his party’s victory. The official handover of power where Mitsotakis will be sworn in as Prime Minister will take place on Monday at Maximos Mansion. In his victory speech on Sunday night, Mitsotakis vowed to “work hard to represent all Greeks.” “Society delivered a clear message in favor of growth, job-creation and security” and that “transparency and meritocracy will return to Greece, and our country’s voice in Europe will be strengthened,” he continued. According to sources, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was the first to call and congratulate Mitsotakis. President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos and Nicos Anastasiades, the President of Cyprus have also spoken with Mitsotakis to congratulate him for his victory. Greece’s next Prime Minister who took leadership of New Democracy three years ago, has pledged to create “better” jobs through growth, foreign investment and tax cuts and to “steamroll” obstacles to business. In the wake of defeat, outgoing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stated he respected the will of the Greek people who voted New Democracy to power. He further added that he takes responsibility for SYRIZA’s defeat and vowed to “transform” it into a “big progressive democratic party.” “In my life and my political career I have learned to fight. Anyone who does not fight does not make mistakes. Anyone who struggles knows how to win and also knows how to lose. But most of all, he learns to stand up again when he falls and continue fighting. That’s what I’m going to do, that’s what we are going to do,” Tsipras concluded. With 60% of ballots counted, here are the results from the country’s capital: Athens A: ND 42.3, SYRIZA 31.5 Athens B1 (Northern): ND 44.5, SYRIZA 29.1 Athens B2 (West): ND 29.6, SYRIZA 38.8 Athens B3 (South): ND 39.2, SYRIZA 32.2 Greece’s new Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis thanked the voters for their generosity in giving him a strong mandate with a majority government, noting that “The sovereign Greek people have spoken. ND’s victory is a victory for Greece and every Greek.” “I will be the Prime Minister of all Greeks. I will work to convince our fellow citizens who did not support us. We are too few to be divided and we have a lot to do together. I am taking over the governance with an awareness of the difficulties ahead. I have faith in my abilities, and I will complete my mission,” he said. “I draw strength from the people, from this great stream. [The result] was not an expression of their will to end a painful cycle. It was the desire to take our fortunes into our own hands. I feel the need to address the Greeks abroad. I will not ask you to return. I am asking you to turn your eyes toward Greece. From now on we are working to change the country you had to abandon. The Greeks deserve better,” he underlined. “I asked for a strong mandate to change Greece. You gave it to me generously. I will not deny your hopes,” the ND leader said, adding: “Today I draw strength from my family, my wife and my three children. I feel my parents’ wishes protect me. “Starting today is a difficult but wonderful struggle. The country proudly raises its head and we are rolling up our sleeves. The new government will work hard. The prestige of democracy and the institutions will be restored. “I have promised to reduce taxes, increase investment, boost development, and create an efficient state. Transparency, accountability, and meritocracy are returning to the country. Our national voice is becoming stronger in Europe. We are starting now. The parliament will work all summer. “I am not asking for a grace period. We do not have time to lose. We are building a broad front of consensus.” “As of tomorrow, the sky will be bluer, the sun will be brighter. A new day will dawn for our country,” he stated. The swearing-in of Kyriakos Mitsotakis as Prime Minister will take place at the presidential mansion on Monday, July 8 at 1pm, New Democracy sources announced on Sunday evening. greekcitytimes.com