Local gov’t elex in Greece: One vote difference on remote isle of Aghios Efstratios in mayor’s race

A few electoral contests during the first round of Sunday’s local government elections in Greece appear to have generated more interest because of the result.

For instance, only one vote separated challenger Konstantinos Sinanis from incumbent Maria Kakali in the mayor’s race on the remote and sparsely populated northeast Aegean island of Aghios Efstratios.

Specifically, Sinanis received 130 votes – and eight seats on the municipal council – to Kakali’s 129 votes and five seats.

Further to the south, on the renowned Cyclades holiday island of Ios, Gikas Gikas was the only candidate for mayor, while running for a second consecutive election as the only candidate. His election list of candidates also picked up all 15 seats on the municipal council.

Candidates fielding more than 43 percent of the vote – of valid ballots cast – were elected from the first round. A second round will take place this Sunday, Oct. 15, in races where no candidate fielded above this percentage.