Greek Parliament to Hold Last Presidential Vote on Monday

World » SOUTHEAST EUROPE | December 29, 2014, Monday // 08:46
Bulgaria: Greek Parliament to Hold Last Presidential Vote on Monday Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras attends a vote for President at the Parliament in Athens, Greece, 23 December 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has said he will do everything to ensure that Parliament will elect a new head of state in the third and final attempt on December 29, Monday.

A third failure will result in a snap poll in January, a year and a half ahead of schedule.

Lawmakers in Athens did not agree on a new President on December 17 and 23, with the only candidate, Stavros Dimas (the nominee of ruling parties) failing to garner support from a majority which should be composed by at least two-thirds (200) of MPs. The third vote will require a narrower majority of 180.

Under Greece's constitution, if a President is not agreed upon in the third vote, early elections must be held within only a month, a move the radical-left coalition SYRIZA is eyeing to boost its parliamentary majority.

SYRIZA's popularity has grown tremendously over the past years due to its rejection of austerity measures that were part of the conditions for Athens to receive international assistance in solving its debt crisis.

The date for the first round was set just eight days ahead of the vote, which was initially planned for February 15.

If no President is elected, the snap poll in January will be a year and a half ahead of schedule.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Southeast Europe » Be a reporter: Write and send your article
Tags: Antonis Samaras, greece, Athens, Stavros Dimas

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria