ATHENS

Greece’s government spokesman on Tuesday announced that the early general election in the country will be held on July 7.

"The prime minister [Alexis Tsipras] decided to hold general elections on July 7," Dimitris Canakopoulos told Greek Alpha TV.

The decision came after Tsipras’s party suffered a heavy defeat in Sunday’s European Parliament elections.

The spokesman said it was ensured that the election day does not cause disruption to the university entrance exams.

* Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez