Greek Parliament Fails to Elect President, Triggers Early Elections

Members of the Parliament vote for Greek President at the Parliament in Athens, during the third round for the election. Photo: EPA

The Greek Parliament failed to approve the presidential candidate of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in the third and last round of voting on Monday.

The previous two rounds were also unsuccessful, which means that the country will face early parliamentary elections next year, the BBC reports.

Former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas failed to attract 180 votes which would have been necessary for his election at the third round.

Dimas received the support of 168 MPs, the same number as he had attracted during the second round last week.

In the first round Dimas received 160 votes in favour.

The Constitution provides that following three unsuccessful attempts, the Parliament has to be dissolved and early parliamentary elections have to be called.

Samaras announced that elections would take place on January 25 next year.

Opinion polls show that the left-wing Syriza party, which is currently in opposition, is to win the forthcoming elections, but it remains unclear whether it will have a majority in the new parliament.

Syriza's popularity has been explained with its willingness to renegotiate the austerity measures imposed on Greece by the international creditors.

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