Athens (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Constantine Tassoulas, the former speaker of the Grecce Parliament, has been elected as President of the country. He was the conservative government’s nominee.
The 66-year-old lawyer, who in 2000 became a legislator, later on served as Greece’s Minister of Culture and the Deputy Minister of Defense. He garnered support from 160 legislators in the 300-seat parliament.
The presidential elections were elongated, as candidates were unable to attain the required supermajority vote in the preceding rounds, with a threshold of 200 in rounds one and two, 180 for the third round, and a subject-to-third-round simple majority for those present in the fourth round. Tasoulas is a close associate of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and has served as the Speaker of the Parliament.
Constantine Tassoulas will succeed Greece’s first female president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Her five-year term expires in March.
Why has Tassoulas’ election sparked protests in Greece?
On the other hand, his nomination has enraged protesters who mobilised outside parliament last month, aiming for justice over a deadly 2023 train collision. They express that on Tassoulas’ keeper as parliamentary speaker, lawmakers neglected to examine any political responsibility over Greece’s most threatening rail disaster. Two years later, a judicial investigation is still underway.
How does Tassoulas’ election impact Mitsotakis’ government?
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated last month that he picked Tassoulas on account of his political background, widespread approval, and his “unifying spirit”.
According to political analysts, Tassoulas’ nomination sought to maintain Mitsotakis’ hold on power. His conservative New Democracy group has a small parliamentary bulk with 156 seats but is under mounting stress, opinion polls indicate.
Several other candidates were proposed during this election cycle, including Louka Katseli and Tassos Giannitsis. However, none achieved significant traction compared to Tasoulas. Leftist opposition and Centre-left parties had suggested other candidates and did not back Tassoulas’ Pick.
