Greek conservatives retain power

Despite coming under strong criticism for the way it handled widespread fires in Greece, the centre-right New Democracy party of prime minister Costas Karamanlis won parliamentary elections on Sunday.

"I feel doubly responsible to be more effective and avoid mistakes," Mr Karamanlis told his supporters as the early results suggested his victory, adding he interpreted the poll results as a "clear mandate" to continue reforms, the BBC reported.

His chief opponent in the elections fight, the socialist Pasok leader George Papandreou, admitted defeat. "Pasok fought a battle and lost it," he said.

According to early results, New Democracy received 42 percent and Pasok 38 percent of the vote. The ruling conservatives lost about 13 seats in the country's 300-strong parliament but should get 152 seats which is enough for an absolute majority.