Greece's conservative prime minister has been re-elected albeit despite a financial scandal and forest fires that killed more than 65 people last month.
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis's New Democracy party was returned with a diminished majority in parliament, however, and that could make it harder for the government to carry out crucial economic and educational reforms.
But the conservatives inflicted a stronger defeat than expected on their rival socialists, who were seen as being in disarray after receiving the lowest number of parliament seats in 30 years.
"Thank you for your trust. You have spoken loud and clear and chosen the course the country will take in the next few years," Mr Karamanlis said a speech in central Athens.
George Papandreou, the leader of the main opposition socialist party PASOK, conceded defeat. "The people have chosen and their decision is respected. PASOK fought hard, but it did not succeed," he said.
The results indicated that New Democracy would win enough seats in the 300-member parliament to form a governing majority after the elections, which were called by Mr Karamanlis six months early.
With 94 per cent of the votes counted, New Democracy party was ahead with 42.2.