Greece, local elections in time of crisis

Almost 13 months after the 2009 parliamentary elections, which brought the Socialists to power, Greece holds elections for local government.
This time, the Greeks go to the polls in the moments when the country is going through profound economic crisis in its history, when unemployment is growing every day more and more, when hundreds of businesses are closed and when the people's discontent reached its peak after measures stringent anti-crisis that has taken the government, imposed by the IMF and the EU, Greece has given an aid package of 110 billion Euros.

 And had it not enough that, across the country was rocked this week by sending dozens of packages bomb left by terrorist elements, to foreign embassies in Athens, or even to some European leaders.

In recent days the political atmosphere has been very polarized. The dilemma that Prime Minister George Papandreou has put before the Greeks, if not support socialist candidates in local elections, the country will go to early elections, has become the "apple of evil" with conservatives who accuse the prime minister of the environment creates instability himself against Greece with his statements.

"It is a vote to place responsibility for the country and local governments. In such a case, if some try to hijack the country and citizens in the past, there is no other choice but to say their last word of the citizens, "said Papandreou.

However, local government elections are a test for the government, within one year of taking power, it's happened before challenges unprecedented in the history of the country in a crisis that is not only economic but also institutional, moral and social

For the first time in the history of country voting, but also have the right to be elected as members of municipal councils, and foreign immigrants, as a result.....

Total vote in these elections about 9.8 million Greeks, of which nearly 5 million are women. Candidates for mayor and county mayors must provide under the new law 50% plus one vote to be elected.

For the first time after many years, no national television has refused to give after seven o'clock when they closed boxes, exit polls for economic reasons.

Surveys 15 days ago and reflected the contradictory results showed fear, mistrust, uncertainty and skepticism of citizens.

Opposition by its characteristically declared that the election of the packages Greeks were afraid of the bombs of terrorists, but after holding them would prostrate the packages even more stringent measures to be undertaken economic government.