SYRIZA's Dourou takes Attica as New Democracy dominates other regions

SYRIZA took control of Greece’s largest region, Attica, on Sunday but candidates backed by New Democracy were victorious in the majority of the 13 districts.

Leftist candidate Rena Dourou edged out Attica Governor Yiannis Sgouros by winning 50.83 percent in the closest result of the night. It is the first time that a left wing party has taken control of Attica.

“We will change lives in Attica, we will change them throughout the country,” said former lawmaker Dourou.

SYRIZA also took the Ionian Islands but candidates supported by New Democracy won the Northern Aegean, Central Greece, Epirus, Thessaly, Southern Aegean and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

In the Peloponnese, Petros Tatoulis, who was supported by New Democracy and PASOK, emerged as the victor. PASOK’s Stavros Arnaoutakis was the winner in Crete, while independents took Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia and Western Greece.

In Central Macedonia, former New Democracy candidate Apostolos Tzitzicostas thrashed conservative hopeful Yiannis Ioannidis.