The election comes after a migrant boat sank on June 14, leaving hundreds of people feared dead, highlighting divisions over migration.

Mr Mitsotakis, who has taken a hard line on migration, said "people smugglers were responsible for the shipwreck" and praised the coastguard for rescuing many people.

Mitsotakis' New Democracy party won the May 21 election by more than 20 points over Syriza, which ruled Greece from 2015 to 2019. Since New Democracy had almost secured a majority in the previous vote, a second vote was held to help the party form a government without a coalition.

Mr Mitsotakis, who had been prime minister since 2019, resigned in favour of an interim prime minister after an inconclusive vote last month, as required by the constitution.

Polling stations will open at 7am across Greece and close at 7pm. Results are expected at 10pm.

In addition to the train disaster, other issues on voters' minds include the cost of living crisis and the deadly train accident in February.

Hoang Nam (according to Reuters)