[InTime News]
Parliamentary groups have formally submitted their proposals for Greece’s next President, a largely ceremonial role, to the Special Secretariat of the President ahead of the first round of voting on January 25.
The ruling conservative New Democracy party has nominated MP Konstantinos Tasoulas, who stepped down as Speaker of the House on January 16 in preparation for the presidential vote.
The main opposition party, socialist PASOK, has nominated economist and former Interior Minister Tasos Giannitsis. Leftist SYRIZA has put forward Louka Katseli, an economist and former minister, while right-wing NIKI has nominated writer Kostas Kyriakou.
The President of the Hellenic Republic is elected by Parliament every five years. Outgoing President Katerina Sakellaropoulou’s tenure ends on March 13, and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has opted not to nominate her for a second term.
In the first two rounds of voting, a candidate needs a two-thirds majority (200 MPs) to be elected. If this threshold is not reached, the third round requires 180 votes, and a fourth round lowers the requirement to a simple majority of 151 votes. Should the election proceed to a fifth round, only a relative majority is needed.
A recent constitutional amendment ensures that the election of the president is no longer tied to the early dissolution of Parliament if a candidate fails to secure the required majority in the initial rounds.