Athens - An announcement by one of Greece's most popular politicians that he is forming a new party has suddenly presented a surprise threat to both ruling socialists and opposition conservatives.
Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos of Athens brought months of speculation to an end with his announcement late on Thursday - although the party has not yet been constituted or even named. An MRB poll for the Mega TV channel earlier this week suggested that more than 42 per cent of voters might support Mr Avramopoulos if an election were held at once.
Greek political parties often have been formed around a single politician, as was the case when the late Andreas Papandreou established what is now the ruling PASOK socialist party.