Greece’s presidential election process begins Saturday, January 25, with Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas expected to secure the post by the fourth round on February 12, requiring a simple majority of 151 votes.
With New Democracy’s 156 MPs and additional support from the Spartiates and other independents, Tasoulas could gain at least 167 votes.
Meanwhile, opposition camps are clashing as PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis backs Tasos Giannitsis, an economist and former minister, and SYRIZA promotes Louka Katseli, a former economy minister.
The debate exposes rifts, with SYRIZA criticizing PASOK’s approach and pointing to the repealed Katseli law, passed in 2010, which helped protect homeowners from foreclosure during the financial crisis.
Tensions in leftist factions could lead to a third nominee to unite center-left forces, though no agreement has emerged.
PASOK remains firm on Giannitsis and uninterested in broader consensus-building.
Independent MPs aligned with Movement for Democracy leader Stefanos Kasselakis lean toward abstaining, complicating predictions for Katseli.
The election reflects deeper divides within Greece’s political landscape, shaping strategies and allegiances ahead of future electoral battles.