Kostas Bakoyannis leading the way in Athens Mayoral race

Congratulations were in place for Dora Bakoyannis’ son, Kostas Bakoyannis, as he has gathered a wide margin in the first round of elections as Mayor of Athens.

The voters and his colleagues welcomed him in his electoral booth at Syntagma Square in front of the Old Parliament. With 82.08%, Kostas Bakoyannis is ahead of 42.72% against Nassos Iliopoulos in the battle of the municipality of Athens and

The crowd began gathering early in the electoral booth of the prospective mayor, with voters and associates accepting Kostas Bakoyannis in a festive atmosphere, while his sister, Alexia, was also present. Alexia Bakoyannis, who was early on her brother's side, did not hide her joy about the election result and the large percentage that the combination of "Athens High".

Bakoyannis, nephew of New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is affiliated with the main opposition party and has a major lead over the next candidate, Nasos Iliopoulos, affiliated with ruling SYRIZA.

With 72.59% of all voting centres for local government counted, Bakoyannis received 42.73 pct of the votes (21 seats on the municipal council), followed by Iliopoulos with 16.86 pct (8 seats). Mοvement for Change (KINAL) affiliated candidate and former minister Pavlos Geroulanos got 13.19 pct (6 seats), and extreme-right Golden Dawn's deputy Ilias Kasidiaris came fourth with 10.49 pct and 5 seats. All other candidates received under 10 percent.

Voters and colleagues of Bakoyannis celebrated with him at his main electoral booth in Athens, on Stadiou Street. He said he feels "shock and awe before this amazing percentage, beyond any of my expectations," and he thanked his team and other fellow candidates in the race for their "civilised political behaviour."

Dora Bakoyannis, sister of New Democracy leader Mitsotakis was at Syntagma with her son and later posted images on her Facebook account and other social media pages, saying "Congratulations, my boy!"

*Images by Eurokinissi