“Yesterday’s election of the 250 members of the new National Delegation – the first after exactly four years – was characterized by one major event: the absence of any fanaticism, the avoidance of voter demonstrations and a large turnout of citizens to the polls. where an exemplary class really reigned,” writes Katimerini on its front page on March 6, 1950.

Elections, the first after the Civil War, were held by the provisional government under John the Virgin on a simple proportional system. The results did not portend an easy government decision.

While the People’s Party of Con. Tsaldari came to the vote as the first party with only 18.8% of the vote and 62 out of 250 seats, while the Liberal Party was also hit hard.

However, the election results of the National Progressive Union of the Center (EPEK), led by Nikolaos Plastiras, with 45 seats, were impressive.

As Cathimerini commented on this issue the day after the elections, “the main feature of yesterday’s elections, apart from the relative local majority of the democratic faction, is, according to political observers, the unexpected strengthening of Mr. Plastiras, carried out at the expense of Mr. S. Venizelo “.

In the end, not a single party managed to ensure self-reliance. On March 9, Kathimerini announced on its front page: “The three leaders have reached an agreement to form a coalition government, but the political issue is fraught with difficulties that could undermine the partnership.” And he continues: “The lively reaction caused by foreign governments close to Greece, the statements of some of the leaders of the triptych (EPEK, Fileleftheros, Papandreou) is related to the general political course that the speakers should take if the principle raises very serious doubts about the possibility of forming a government in the announced composition.

Finally, King Pavlos orders the formation of a government to Tsaldaris, who is unable to form one. After that, on March 23, S. Venizelos, with the support of the People’s Party, forms the government, temporarily breaking the government deadlock.