As the majority of votes were counted after Sunday's Greek elections, the ruling New Democracy party took the lead with 40.8 percent of the vote. The previous ruling Syriza party, with 20.1 percent, fell far behind in the 300-seat Greek parliament.
However, Mitsotakis' party also failed to secure the majority of seats needed to form a government on its own.
According to projections by Greece's interior ministry, New Democracy is expected to win 145 seats in parliament, which is six seats shy of an absolute majority.
Starting Monday, the country's president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, will give the top three parties - New Democracy, Syriza and Socialist PASOK - three days each to form a coalition government.
If all three parties refuse to form a coalition government, Sakellaropoulou will appoint an interim government for the runoff of elections in about a month.
Currently New Democracy has 145 seats, Syriza has 72 seats, PASOK has 41 seats, the Communist KKE party has 26 seats, and the right-wing Hellenic Solution party has 16 seats.
According to recent statements, all three parties do not want to form a coalition government. In this case, the result will be decided in the second round.
Source: Independent