Pre-election threat to stability in Greece / Greek election date set for May 6

Greece would hold national elections on 6 May 2012 to replace a cross-party coalition government that had overseen a partial sovereign default and legislated new structural measures in return for a second international bailout.

The credibility of Greece’s political class had sunk so low that both main parties of the centre right and centre left were facing problems finding suitable candidates to stand in the election.

The majority of voters appeared set to back half-a-dozen small opposition parties that opposed the reform effort, from the Greek Communist party to the far-right Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn).

Deutsche Welle, 12.4.12: New elections in Greece could affect reforms http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15875994,00.html

Kathimerini, 12.4.12: Parties ramp up pre-election campaigns http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_12/04/2012_437721

ESO: Background information: The Greek debt crisis of 2010 http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-greek-debt-crisis-key-sources/

ESO: Background information: Greek elections pushed back to April http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-elections-pushed-back-to-april/

BBC News, 11.4.12: Greece PM Papademos announces 6 May election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17673917

Deutsche Welle, 11.4.12: Greek government to set election for May 6 http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15875086,00.html

Kathimerini, 11.4.12: PM to visit President and call snap polls http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_21802_11/04/2012_437525

To Ethnos / Ta Nea, 12.4.12: Most crucial elections in Greek history (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/1790381-most-crucial-elections-greek-history

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