Chamber:
	Vouli Ton Ellinon
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	22 September 1996
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament following the premature dissolution of this body on 23 August 1996. General elections had previously been held in October 1993.
Background and outcome of elections:
	General elections were not normally due until autumn 1997. In January 1996, Mr. Costas Simitis succeeded long-time Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou in office due to the latter's failing health, which led to his death five months later. On 23 August, Mr. Simitis (Panhellenic Socialist Movement - PASOK) asked President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos to prematurely dissolve Parliament, declaring that the Government had to renew its mandate "to take difficult decisions in the economic and foreign policy spheres". Dissolution took place and a snap election was called for the following month. In power from 1981 to 1989 and again from 1993 on, PASOK was once again mainly opposed for the Chamber of Deputies' 300 seats by the conservative New Democracy (ND) party headed by Mr. Miltiadis Evert. During the campaign, PASOK emphasised and/or came out in favour of European integration and respect for the relevant Maastricht criteria, the "Turkish threat" in the Balkan region, and the country's economic development. On the last point, Prime Minister Simitis, regarded as moderate in the socialist camp, favoured the continuation of an austerity programme and stressed the "need to modernise society". Mr. Evert countered by calling for bolder action in relations with Turkey, revitalisation of the economy with a target of 5% annual growth, and a control on immigration. The two main rivals faced each other in televised debates. In line with opinion polls, PASOK swept to victory with a renewed absolute majority, although gaining eight seats less than before. ND also incurred losses as left-wing parties in general scored well, capturing the remaining 30 seats. On 24 September, Prime Minister Simitis formed a new Government.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (22 September 1996): Elections results
Number of registered electors	9,145,598
Voters	6,982,204 (76.34%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	198,759
Valid votes	6,783,445

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)	2,814,779	41.5
New Democracy (ND)	2,586,089	38.1
Communist Party (KKE)	380,046	5.6
Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN)	347,236	5.1
Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI)	300,954	4.4
Political Spring	199,686	2.94

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)	162	-8
New Democracy (ND)	108	-1
Communist Party (KKE)	11	+2
Coalition of the Left and Progress (SYN)	10	+10
Democratic Social Movement (DIKKI)	9	+9
Political Spring	0	-11

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	281
Women:	19

Distribution of seats according to age:
21-30 years	1
31-40 years	20
41-50 years	150
51-60 years	96
61-70 years	29
Over 70 years	4
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Lawyers	95
Doctors	47
Architects, engineers	45
Economists	24
Teachers	19
Journalists	9
Others	61