In a move to quell growing speculation, Government Spokesman Pavlos Marinakis made it clear yesterday that any discussion regarding the election of the President of the Hellenic Republic is premature and unfounded.
He also firmly denied rumors suggesting that Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias is a potential candidate.
In recent days, rumors had been circulating, prompting the government to address the issue directly, especially with five months remaining before Parliament is set to decide on the matter.
"This discussion is extremely premature and unproductive, and I believe it is disrespectful to the institution of the Presidency," Mr. Marinakis said, attempting to put an end to the speculation.
This is not the first time the issue has surfaced. Following the European Parliament elections, which did not yield the desired results for the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, speculation about a potential shift in the presidential office intensified.
Critics of current President Katerina Sakellaropoulou argued that her stance on the legalization of same-sex marriage was divisive and not in keeping with the institutional role of the presidency.
Some commentators also suggested that the European election results could lead to the selection of a figure from the center-right for the presidency.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had previously intervened, calling the discussion "untimely and disrespectful," and warning ND members not to fan the flames with their comments.
The mention of Nikos Dendias as a potential candidate adds fuel to the fire.
Mr. Dendias is a highly popular figure, consistently ranking well in polls assessing government ministers. He is closely associated with the center-right and is respected within ND's party base. It seems unlikely that he would fail to secure the support of government MPs, and his candidacy would not likely provoke division within the opposition.
However, such speculation is seen as unhelpful to the government's broader efforts, particularly at a time when it is trying to close various social fronts and initiate a political reset.
"Mr. Dendias is one of the important members of the government, as are all government officials. He holds one of the most critical portfolios. The government is focused on its work. There is no discussion at this time, either official or unofficial, about the presidency, and everything we read is just speculation," Mr. Marinakis said.
Sources indicate that Prime Minister Mitsotakis has made no decisions regarding the presidency and has not approached Dendias about the possibility.
Furthermore, Mr. Dendias has not instigated or encouraged such rumors. According to insiders, the discussion has not even been broached within the Prime Minister's office.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that the issue will not be considered later this year.
By then, the government will have launched its political counteroffensive, the response from the electorate will be clearer, and the leadership situation in Syriza and Pasok will have settled.
Most observers agree that it is highly unlikely President Sakellaropoulou will serve a second term.
"Everything in its time," Mr. Marinakis concluded.
By Ginnis Kantelis