Pro-bailout conservatives win in Greece

ATHENS, Greece -- The conservative party that backs keeping Greece in the eurozone won the national election yesterday and immediately proposed a pro-euro coalition, a development that eased, at least briefly, fears that the vote could unleash an economic tsunami.

As central banks stood ready to intervene in case of financial turmoil, Greece held its second national election in six weeks after an inconclusive ballot May 6. Greece leaving the euro currency would have potentially catastrophic consequences for other ailing European nations, the United States and the entire global economy.

Near complete results showed New Democracy first with 29.6 percent of the vote and 129 of the 300 seats in Parliament. The radical left anti-bailout Syriza party had 26.9 percent and 71 seats and the pro-bailout Socialist PASOK party 12.3 percent and 33 seats. The extremist far-right Golden Dawn party got 6.9 percent and 18 seats.

The parties have starkly different views about what to do about the $300 billion in bailout loans Greece has been given by international lenders, and the harsh austerity measures Greece had to accept to get the funds.

"The Greek people today voted for Greece to remain on its European path and in the eurozone," New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras said. "[Voters chose] policies that will bring jobs, growth, justice and security."

Syriza chief Alexis Tsipras had wanted to rip up the international bailout deals and roll back taxes, job cuts and pension cuts of the last two years.

New Democracy now gets the first stab at forming a new majority in Parliament. If it fails, the next highest party gets to try.