Venizelos prepares to lead Greek socialists to election victory

Evangelos Venizelos has resigned as expected from the Greek government after being elected leader of the socialist PASOK party.

The 55-year-old stood unopposed for the job after winning the backing of the party’s most influential members. He replaces George Papandreou who had become increasingly unpopular over the imposition of austerity measures.

Venizelos is now expected to fight a general election in late April or May but support for any party is not certain with nearly a third of all voters reportedly planning to abstain or cast blank ballots.

Meanwhile, strikes against austerity measures and labour reforms continue. Greek seamen were the latest to hold industrial action over threats to their livelihoods.

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