Greek elections be held no sooner than April, premier insists

ANKARA

Greece's prime minister insisted on Wednesday that this year's elections would be held no earlier than April, responding to rumors that the vote could come weeks before schedule, according to local media.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the decision would be made on Sunday amid assertions that the elections could be held as early as late March, public broadcaster ERT reported.

Chaired by Mitsotakis, the Cabinet meeting included discussions on the campaign strategy of his ruling Nea Dimokratia party, as well as the need to finish legislative work swiftly for government to focus on the election, the broadcaster noted.

It added that the premier would soon visit the provinces of Komotini, Alexandroupoli, Larissa, Kozani, and Ioannina, as the campaign season begins.

Meanwhile, the daily Kathimerini reported that Nea Dimokratia lawmaker Themis Cheimaras had resigned from parliament amid allegations that he misused state money to help his business.

"I would never allow such an issue, which concerns me, to be exploited by our political opponents," he said, according to the daily.