WORLD : Actress Melina Mercouri to Run in Athens Mayoral Elections
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ATHENS — Melina Mercouri, Greece’s popular actress turned fiery socialist politician, will seek to become mayor of Athens in municipal elections in October.
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), which was defeated in a general election last June after eight years in power, chose Mercouri as its candidate against the ruling New Democracy Party on Sunday.
“Mercouri is probably the only person in PASOK popular enough to attract even conservative voters. If she wins the election it could mean a new start for our party,” a senior PASOK official said.
Mercouri, 65, was born into a prominent political family. Her grandfather, Spyros Mercouris, was mayor of Athens for 30 years.
She served as culture minister from 1981 until 1989 in the government of former Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.
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