Greek PM calls snap vote after drubbing for ruling Syriza

Supporters of the New Democracy conservative party watch the first exit polls of the European and local elections, at the party's main election kiosk in Athens, Greece, May 26, 2019. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called snap national elections after suffering a heavy defeat by the opposition conservatives in European Parliament elections on Sunday.

With an unexpectedly severe pounding at the ballot box for his leftist Syriza party, Tsipras decided not to push through to a full term which expires in October.