Greek MPs to Vote for New President Earlier than Planned

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (R) talks with Greek Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis (L) prior a voting of the Greek Parliament for the 2015 Budget, in Athens, Greece, 07 December 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The Greek government has decided that Parliament will have a vote on the new head of state two months earlier.

Lawmakers will pick the country's next President on December 17, and not on February 15.

The decision was taken several days ago and the presidential candidate of the ruling coalition could be announced as early as Tuesday, according to Kathimerini's English-language website.

Different media reports suggest the aim is to bring "political clarity".

Support for the ruling parties' presidential candidate is low among the opposition especially among members of radical-left coalition SYRIZA, which is categorically refusing to throw its support.

Greece's constitution stipulates that in case no candidate garners 200 votes in Parliament to become President, a second and a third vote follow. Their failure results in a snap poll within only a month.

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