Macedonian Press Agency: Special Report (N.D. Conference) [2], 97-03-21

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

ND CONVENTION: KARAMANLIS FIRST, SOUFLIAS SECOND, EVERT LAGGING BEHIND

Athens, March 21 (MPA)

Mr. Karamanlis leads the way with 1,408 votes, George Souflias comes second with 1,055 ballots cast in his favor, Miltiades Evert -who served as President in the previous term- is third with 876 and Byron Polydoras is last with 118.

The party's 3,609 delegates voted to elect their new leader and the first round of the election started today at 2 pm in 24 ballots. Another round will be held this evening at 8:30 where the two top candidates will cross their swords.

Kostas Karamanlis was born in 1956. He studied Law and did his post-graduate studies at Tafts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He has a Master's in Political and Economic Sciences and a PhD in Diplomatic History.

Mr.Karamanlis was a member of the New Democracy's Youth Party (ONNED) and served in ONNED's and New Democracy's organizing and ideological sectors during 1974-1979 and 1984-1989.

He practiced law between 1984-89 and taught Political Science, Diplomatic History and Business Law at Deree College.

Mr. Karamanlis has co-authored the book "Eleftherios Venizelos and Greece's Foreign Relations 1928-32". He also edited and prefaced various historical publications.

He was elected second parliamentarian of Thessaloniki with New Democracy in June 1989 and April of 1990 and first deputy in the elections of October 1993 and September of 1996.

Mr. Souflias was born in Agia Triada, Farsala in 1941. He studied Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic School of the University of Thessaloniki. He was first elected deputy of Larisa on the New Democracy's ballot in 1974 and has been re-elected ever since.

He has served as Undersecretary of the Interior during 1977-1980, Minister of National Economy in the coalition government of July 1989, Minister of Finance in the ecumenical government of November 1989, Minister of National Economy and Tourism in April of 1990, National Economy in May of 1990 and Education Minister between 1991-1993.

Mr.Souflias was among the contenders for New Democracy's leadership in the elections of September 1996.

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