A night before the election, Greek Presidental Evzoni guards perform a change of the guard in in front of the Greek parliament in central Athens on June 16. 
A firefighter works on extinguishing a brush fire in the eastern Athens area of Keratea. Two brush fires broke out in Greece on June 16 including one near seaside resorts close to Athens, just a day ahead of crucial elections, the fire service’s media office said. Winds of up to 70 kph (45 mph) were pushing flames to residental areas.
A man relaxes in the sun at a beach on the island of Aegina on June 16 in Aegina, Greece. 
Members of the public visit a fun fair on Saturday, June 16, in Athens. 
A man directs passengers as they disembark from a ferry at the island of Aegina on June 16.
A European Union flag flies outside the National Bank of Greece SA in Athens on Thursday, June 14.
Refrigerator magnets are for sale in a gift shop in the district of Plaka.
People walk by pre-election posters of the conservative New Democracy Party in Athens on Friday, June 15. Greece votes for the second time on Sunday.
Radical leftist leader Alexis Tsipras greets his supporters during a main pre-election rally Thursday in central Athens.
The Parthenon temple is seen on the skyline of Athens.
Tourists listen to their tour guide speak next to the Acropolis Museum in Plaka.
Sunday’s election could determine whether Greece retains the Euro as its currency.
The sun rises over the skyline in Athens.
Tourists peruse leather goods for sale in the district of Plaka.
A woman sits in a cafe in Plaka.HIDE CAPTION
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
Greece Election Weekend
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The New Democracy and Syriza parties are considered front-runners going into the vote
- Observers say the country’s future in the euro currency union hangs in the balance
- The left-wing Syriza party has threatened to renege on the terms of Greece’s bailout
Athens (CNN) — Greeks head to the polls Sunday in an election that could determine the debt-stricken country’s future in the eurozone and significantly impact the global economy.
The nation is undergoing financial and political turmoil, burdened by shriveling finances and a long-running recession.
Two parties, New Democracy and Syriza, are considered front-runners going into the vote.
The parties were running neck-and-neck, according to the last official polls. No new polls are allowed 14 days before the vote.
What will Greek elections mean for the country’s future?
Should a working majority emerge under the leadership of the moderate New Democracy party, Greece may follow through with the next installment of public spending cuts demanded by its “troika” of creditors: the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank.
But if the left-wing Syriza party emerges as the largest, with its commitment to tear up the current bailout agreement, markets will begin to anticipate a “disorderly exit” from the eurozone.
Greeks feel ‘tortured” by austerity
Sunday’s election was called after an initial ballot on May 6, the first since Greece’s financial crisis exploded, failed to deliver a majority for any one party, and talks to create a government failed.
Greece faces make-or-break vote
Since then, Greece — suffering under a heavy burden of painful austerity measures, high unemployment and a long-running recession — has been roiled by uncertainty and division.
Greece will have a much better outcome, if we all put aside our differences and work towards the common good of this nation
interim Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos
Global markets have also been volatile amid fears that Greece could exit the euro currency union, a step that could drag down other ailing euro nations and send shock waves through the world’s financial markets.
Many voters were focused on Greece’s Euro 2012 soccer match against Russia on Saturday night in Warsaw — a welcome distraction from the political drama playing out at home, especially after Giorgos Karagounis’s goal helped propel the Greek side into the high-profile tournament’s quarterfinal round.
A wild election weekend for Greece, France and Egypt
Some analysts fear Sunday’s election could again result in no clear winner, leaving Greece with a weak caretaker government at a time when the nation needs clear leadership.
Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras has threatened to renege on the terms of Greece’s bailout, but he has also expressed a desire to remain in the euro currency union.
Antonis Samaras, leader of New Democracy, has said his party wants to remain in the eurozone and alter existing policies, including stringent austerity measures, to “achieve development and offer people relief.”
New Democracy and the Socialist Pasok party were punished by voters in the last election for supporting the bailout program, as well as for agreeing to the austerity measures that came with it.
Greece must identify additional budget cuts by the end of June to be considered “compliant” with the terms of its bailout program.
The future of Europe: 3 scenarios
Speaking to his Cabinet for the last time Friday, interim Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos praised the spirit of teamwork the caretaker government had shown in office.
“Greece will have a much better outcome, if we all put aside our differences and work towards the common good of this nation,” he said.
His government had dealt with difficult issues in the past 30 days, he said, and its work would continue until a new elected government was in place.
The situation in Greece is likely to be on the minds of world leaders, as they meet in Mexico on Monday for the Group of 20 summit.
Some experts argue that a potential Greek exit would be manageable, assuming the European Central Bank and European Union policymakers respond aggressively.
As economic crisis bites, Greece’s children pay the price
But others worry that such an unprecedented event would cause chaos in financial markets and shock the global economy.
What does it mean to be Greek right now? Tell us on CNN iReport.
CNN’s Irene Chapple and Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.
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