The process for electing the new President of Greece is currently being reviewed by the team of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as the country approaches a critical decision about its next head of state. With just days to go before announcing his choice, Mitsotakis has provided a timeframe, stating that the final decision on his preferred presidential candidate will be made in the second half of Jan. 2025.
According to the constitution the president of Greece serves as the regulator of the political system and is elected by the Parliament, with the right to be re-elected only once. The procedure indicates that the parliamentary process begins at least one month before the expiration of the incumbent president’s term, which in this case is Feb. 13.
As the year and the political period draw to a close, there is a prevailing sense of mystery surrounding the the proposed candidate names for the upcoming presidential election. It is evident that the prime minister is weighing both the political circumstances and the internal dynamics of the governing New Democracy (ND) party.
As sources close to him hint he wishes to avoid challenging the cohesion of the parliamentary group and the internal turmoil caused before the expulsion of former Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras.
Simultaneously, Mitsotakis aims for the newly elected president to achieve the broadest possible acceptance, ideally being elected in the first vote or, at the latest, by the third.
Under the 2019 constitutional revision, the President of the Republic is elected by a two-thirds majority of the total number of MPs, equivalent to 200 votes. If this is not achieved, a second vote is held five days later under the same requirements.
If that too fails, a third vote takes place after another five days, requiring a three-fifths majority (180 MPs). Should the third attempt also fail, a fourth vote is scheduled after another five days, with a simple majority of 151 MPs. If no result is achieved even then, a fifth and final vote is held, with the president elected by relative majority.
Thus, the presidential election could theoretically extend into a political limbo of about a month, a scenario that Mitsotakis does not desire at all! Party and government officials suggest that the morale boost following the smooth passage of the budget has significantly improved the atmosphere among MPs and the government leadership, with some believing that the prime minister’s choice for the presidency will be unanimously accepted at least within the ND ranks.
However, this sentiment is not universal, as discussions have emerged about potentially enforcing party discipline for the presidential election. Government sources deny this possibility, attributing it to opposition speculation, while asserting it “will not be necessary.”
Given Greece’s current political climate, which has somewhat improved, following the recent budget vote, both government and opposition figures believe that the scenario of re-electing the current President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, remains viable.
Government sources suggest that whether Mitsotakis proposes Sakellaropoulou’s re-election or nominates a different candidate, he will ensure beforehand that the presidential election secures a majority exceeding the parliamentary strength of ND.
