Greek opposition parties unable to form alliance, new election seen

Leftist Syriza party leader Alexis Tsipras leaves the Presidential Palace after a meeting with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, where he received an official mandate to try to form a coalition government after the general election in Athens, Greece, May 23, 2023. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

Greece's two main opposition parties on Tuesday turned down mandates offered to them to form a coalition government, setting the stage for a second election in June after an inconclusive vote on May 21.

Leftist Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras and Socialist PASOK head Nikos Androulakis handed back mandates offered to them separately by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.