By Yiannis Kantellis
The process for electing Greece’s next President of the Republic is set to commence next week, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis returns to the Maximos Mansion to finalize his decision on the government’s nominee.
Announcements are expected between January 13 and 20, allowing time for Parliament to initiate the formal proceedings.
Despite weeks of speculation, no clear frontrunner has emerged. Ministers and Members of Parliament have used the holiday period to share their preferences and subtly lobby Mr. Mitsotakis, who, according to sources, “listens but remains noncommittal.”
Parliamentary insiders predict that it will be nearly impossible for a candidate to secure the 200 votes required in the first round of voting.
Instead, the Prime Minister is expected to aim for a third-round election, where only 180 votes are needed, provided he avoids nominating a strictly partisan figure and opts for a candidate with broader appeal.
Parliament’s fragmented makeup and the polarization fostered by smaller parties create significant obstacles to consensus.
The division undermines the prospects for the re-election of current President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, with Syriza and Pasok both reportedly opposed to her serving a second term.
Under these circumstances, the only viable path to securing 180 votes in the third round would be for Mr. Mitsotakis to propose a centrist candidate capable of gaining support from both New Democracy and Pasok. However, even if such an agreement is reached, it is unlikely to translate into a broader political thaw.
Pasok, in particular, faces pressure to distance itself from the government to avoid criticism from other opposition parties for appearing aligned with New Democracy.
To that end, Pasok is expected to adopt a more combative stance in the months ahead. Its leader, Nikos Androulakis, has already announced plans to submit a formal question to Mr. Mitsotakis on agricultural policy when Parliament resumes.
Mr. Androulakis accused the government of neglecting rural Greece and failing to develop a coherent strategy for the primary sector.
He emphasized Pasok’s policy proposals to support farmers and warned against further delays in addressing their needs.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Mr. Mitsotakis can navigate the complex parliamentary dynamics to secure a consensus on his nominee for president, a decision that could shape the political landscape in the lead-up to Greece’s next national elections.