Greece set for early elections after failure to choose president

ATHENS, Dec 29 (AFP): Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Monday called for an early election on January 25 that could bring a radical anti-austerity party to power after parliament failed for a third time to elect a president.

The snap election is likely to further rattle the economy and financial markets after Greece's dire finances nearly destroyed the eurozone in 2012.

The government's candidate, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, won 168 votes out of 180 needed and under the constitution, parliament will have to be dissolved in the next 10 days.

Greek stocks plunged 11 percent after the vote, with fears that the front-running anti-austerity Syriza party could undo many of Greece's economic reforms if it wins the election.

"Tomorrow I will visit the president and request...that elections be held as soon as possible, on January 25," Samaras said in a televised address after the parliamentary vote.

In recent days, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble have warned the Greeks not to change course and abandon the reforms.