Thessaloniki A

Leftist party SYRIZA seems to be winning the battle for second place from socialist PASOK while ruling conservatives New Democracy maintain a steady lead, according to an opinion poll for Action 24 TV ahead of European elections in June.

This year New Democracy, Greece's ruling party, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. As the main political force of the center right, ND had been at the forefront of re-establishing democracy in 1974, under the leadership of Konstantinos Karamanlis who returned from exile that year and founded the party.

Losses for New Democracy and PASOK, gains for SYRIZA, Greek Solution, and Course of Freedom in voting intention among valid voters

Greek Solution is ahead of the Greek Communist Party (KKE)

Ruling New Democracy remains dominant according to an MRB poll of voter intentions in the next national elections, presented on Wednesday by Open TV, garnering 29%. Socialist PASOK climbed to second position with 11.1%, ahead of leftist SYRIZA with 10.1%.

A statement officially announcing the foundation of New Left has been delivered to Parliamentary Speaker Konstantinos Tassoulas by the head of the new party's parliamentary group, Alexis Charitsis.

The letter, which was signed by 11 MPs who departed from SYRIZA in recent weeks, will be read out on Wednesday in parliament, before the start of the debate on the tax bill.

MPs have enacted a law easing the requirements for Greek citizens wishing to vote in Greek elections.

A total of 208 MPs - eight more than the constitutional requirement - from ruling New Democracy, PASOK-Movement for Change, Niki and Course of Freedom backed the bill, while lawmakers from the main opposition SYRIZA and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voted against it.

New Democracy is leading in the vote of Greeks living overseas, as counting of ballot boxes from the 35 foreign countries where polling stations were set up continues.

Nikos Tahiaos, the failed mayoral candidate in Thessaloniki in the local elections of May 26-June 2, will be a Parliamentary candidate for New Democracy in the multi-seat Thessaloniki A constituency in the July 7 election.

The four men and one woman who were arrested on Monday evening in Thessaloniki after clashing with riot police during a rally protesting the name deal between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) have been given until Wednesday to prepare their defense.