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The dominant political issue this week will be the government\u2019s nomination for the next President of the Hellenic Republic, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made his decision on the nominee.<\/p>\n
Despite the largely ceremonial nature of the presidency, the role holds significant political symbolism. Mitsotakis must decide whether to appease his party\u2019s base or select a candidate with broader parliamentary appeal. His choice will set the tone for the remainder of his term.<\/p>\n
Although the element of surprise cannot be ruled out, former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Evangelos Venizelos and House Speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas are currently the most prominent names in the discussion. Venizelos would secure the support of the main opposition party, PASOK, while Tasoulas would satisfy New Democracy MPs, though he would likely face rejection from opposition parties due to his partisan ties. New Democracy argues that Tasoulas received broad support in 2019 when he was elected Speaker of the House with 283 votes in the 300-seat parliament.<\/p>\n
PASOK\u2019s political center will meet on Monday afternoon, and the presidency issue will be on the agenda. The party has decided to avoid name-calling and rejects proposals from other center-left parties to agree on a joint candidacy.<\/p>\n
SYRIZA\u2019s political secretariat will also meet this afternoon to discuss the matter, and is likely to propose its own candidate. One name being considered is Louka Katseli, an economist and former minister in both PASOK and SYRIZA governments.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for the inaugural Greek-Saudi High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.<\/p>\n
During the Council, Mitsotakis will meet with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The meeting is particularly significant given developments in the wider Middle East region, especially in Syria, and in light of Turkey\u2019s ambitions to expand its influence.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet with incumbent President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Wednesday to inform her of his decision regarding a potential renomination for a second term. Sakellaropoulou has not been particularly popular with New Democracy\u2019s conservative faction, especially due to her vocal support for the 2024 same-sex marriage legislation.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis may announce his decision in a public address later Monday or Tuesday.<\/p>\n
European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner will visit Greece on Thursday for crucial talks on the new migration and asylum pact.<\/p>\n
His visit comes shortly after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Greece had illegally deported a woman back to neighboring Turkey, describing the use of summary deportations or \u201cpushbacks\u201d in the country as \u201csystematic.\u201d Brunner is expected to meet with Greece\u2019s prime minister, foreign minister, migration minister, and other officials, with the implications of the ruling being a central topic of discussion.<\/p>\n
European People\u2019s Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber has invited conservative leaders from across Europe to Berlin for an informal summit on January 17-18. The summit is expected to show support for the CDU\u2019s Friedrich Merz ahead of Germany\u2019s elections next month. Mitsotakis will also attend the meeting.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n