MANY CANDIDATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 5

MANY CANDIDATES

GREEK ELECTIONS RIGHTIST FLAVOUR KING GEORGE'S MESSAGE LONDON, March 24. More than 1000 candidates, representing 15 or 16 parties, have been nominated in Greece for the general election on March 31, says Reuter s correspondent in Athens. All the parties are more or less Rightist in complexion except the Centre Republican Liberal Party, led By M. Sofoulis. It is thought that they may gam a number of votes from the Republican Lett Wing.

Groups belonging to the Left Wing parties are boycotting the poll. Otner parties in the field fall into two separate blocks: First, the Populists, supported by eight minor Royal parties, and. secondly, the "National Union coalition, led by three ex-Prcmiers, M. Papandreou, M, Venizclos and M. Cancellopolous.

The National Union Coalition made its appearance as a result of the amalgamation of three Conservative partes —the Socal democrats, the Unionists, and the Venizelist Liberals, hitherto led respectively by the three ex-Prcmicis named.

This anti-Communist coalition has so far not declared whether it favours a monarchy or a republic. The ultra-Royalist organisation, which ranks as a political party, although armed bands are operating under its colours, is illegal. It has about 50 candidates. Many independents are also standing. King George of the Hellenes, in a message to the people for Greek Independence Day, March 25, said: 1 desire the Greek people _to express their sovereign will with dignity, recognising that violence and extreme acts are the arms of the enemies of Greece.” He added that Greece should be ready to face international conditions in which “the protection of the interests of small States would be difficult.”