Beleaguered Greek premier Costas Karamanlis has called a snap general election which is expected to be held on October 4.

In an address to the nation the leader, who is grappling with an economic crisis, scandals and low poll ratings said he hoped to battle the financial crisis with the help of the people. Currently six points behind the opposition in opinion polls, various measures to combat the financial downturn such as wage freezes have not helped the government’s cause. Greece has also seen social unrest since police shot a teenager dead last December. Last month’s raging wildfires just outside Athens further damaged the government’s popularity – that along with a series of corruption scandals makes reelection for Karamanlis an uphill struggle.More about: Costas Karamanlis, Greece

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