Exit poll: left-wing Syriza likely winning close contest in Greek election

ATHENS, Greece – Exit polls in Greece's early election show the left-wing Syriza party of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras likely winning, but falling short of an absolute majority needed to form a government.

The early indication exit poll showed a close contest, with an outside chance that rival conservative New Democracy could be capable of an upset. Syriza was projected to win between 30 and 34 percent, and New Democracy between 28.5 and 32.5 percent.

The poll indicated eight parties would be elected to parliament, with a ninth — the anti-bailout Popular Unity party formed by rebel Syriza members — struggling to make it past the 3 percent threshold.