Former prime minister and the leader of the recently established Democratic Socialist Movement, George Papandreou, said his party would continue the battle regardless of the electoral result.

Papandreou was the first political leader to make a statement on Sunday.

“The work that needs to be done in Greece needs to be a collective effort … They need to respect the sacrifices made by the Greek people, to collaborate together with our own Greek plan, in opposition to those who doubt that we can change. Let’s create an essential democracy. The plan needs to have the seal of the Greek people. The Greek forces for a joint national goal will unite. We are optimistic that we will be in the new Parliament, regardless of results, however, the Movement will be here. I want to thank every Greek man and woman and each one of my colleagues and volunteers. Let’s have a good start.”

Papandreou also announced an open congress for his new party.