On Wednesday morning, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made a surprise live televised address to announce his nomination for the next President of Greece, Kostas Tasoulas.

The announcement caught many off-guard, as the PM was scheduled to meet with incumbent President Katerina Sakellaropoulou at 11:30 AM, a meeting that was unexpectedly canceled.

Despite the surprise timing, speculation had been rife in Greek political circles in recent days, with analysts predicting the PM would reveal his choice later today or by Thursday at the latest.

That content of his announcement is as follows:

“Today, I share my thoughts with you about the highest state institution. Simultaneously, I announce New Democracy’s proposal for the individual who will be called upon to serve in this role. Citizens must be informed, assess arguments, and thus become participants in all developments of public life.

The President of the Republic must possess high stature, broad acceptance, and, of course, experience, knowledge, and demonstrated respect for institutions. However, broad acceptance does not necessarily mean a proposal beyond the government majority. On the contrary, it signifies a person who inspires trust in society, with the ability to unite and integrate.

While the head of state may have limited executive powers, they are a symbol of the nation. Therefore, concerning their high mission, their political origins are of lesser significance. On the other hand, neither the different origins of the President and the Prime Minister guarantee constitutional balance, nor does their political coincidence by definition create institutional risk. Our Constitution provides all the necessary guarantees, and history demonstrates that individuals ultimately lend value to institutions.

Given the unifying mission of the President of the Republic, I believe the role should be limited to a single six-year term. That way, the debate about renewing the tenure would not, every now and then, open up a dance of controversy. And the institution would stay away from partisan considerations. This is a position that we will propose to Parliament during the forthcoming constitutional review.

With a sense of responsibility, I announce that New Democracy’s proposal for the next President of the Republic is Konstantinos Tasoulas, the current Speaker of Parliament and the country’s third-highest-ranking official. His wide acceptance is evident from the fact that he was elected President of the Greek Parliament three times with the strongest majority in the post-dictatorship period: with 283, 270 and 249 votes. His unifying spirit and ability to synthesize viewpoints have been proven by his widely acknowledged exemplary leadership in Parliament, navigating a challenging political landscape.

Konstantinos Tasoulas has also served the country as a Mayor, a Member of Parliament for 25 years, and a Minister. He is fully aware of the weight of responsibility he is set to assume. Moreover, his roots in Epirus and his school years at the Tositsa Foundation have instilled in him the resilience of self-reliance. They have also fueled his deep interest in addressing the challenges faced by Greek regions and their citizens across the nation.

He also possesses a rich intellectual background and profound knowledge of Greek history, a genuine patriotism, and a character marked by integrity, social sensitivity, genuine simplicity, and humility. It is no coincidence that, despite years in the public eye, he has never sought to craft a personal media profile. All these qualities guarantee an outstanding tenure.

For her part, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, whom I have already informed of my decision, has served her mission with consistency and a sense of responsibility. She upheld national dignity and brought to the institution a new, human model of Presidency, emphasizing culture and science while fostering authentic communication with citizens.

However, in the coming period, and in a turbulent international environment, the country needs a President of the Republic with a long track record in public life and with clear political characteristics. Regardless, Katerina Sakellaropoulou leaves a positive mark on the nation’s history. As Prime Minister and as a citizen, I honor her and thank her from the bottom of my heart.

I call on all parties in Parliament to assess Konstantinos Tasoulas’s candidacy through one lens: that of prestige, experience, knowledge, and character, so he may become the nation’s foremost citizen. If the impartial answer to these criteria is affirmative, I ask them to support him. It will be a choice of unity and a promising future for Greece.”