Prime Minister Mitsotakis Nominates Kostas Tasoulas for President of the Republic

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has officially proposed Kostas Tasoulas as Greece’s next President of the Republic.

Mitsotakis made the announcement, naming Konstantinos Tasoulas his candidate for the country’s highest office.

Under Greece‘s constitutional procedure, the president’s election requires a series of votes in Parliament. A candidate can be elected with a majority of MPs, and the voting process involves up to five rounds. The first two votes require an increased majority of 200 MPs, followed by a third vote requiring 180 MPs. The fourth vote needs 151 MPs, and if the position is still unfilled, the fifth vote is decided by a relative majority.

The voting process is spread over five days, with each vote occurring on consecutive days. This procedure will be closely watched as the Parliament considers the nomination.

 

Mitsotakis said in a televised address that he chose the 66-year-old, who has been a lawyer and lawmaker since 2000 and served as culture minister, because of his political experience, widespread acceptance, and “unifying spirit.”

Tassoulas told parliament that the proposal was a top honour.

Political analysts view his nomination as a risk-free, conservative move by the government, which wants to secure support from all New Democracy factions and sustain its majority.

Opposition parties are not expected to back his candidacy. The leftist Syriza party has proposed Louka Katseli, a former economy minister who served as a director at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), for the post.

Mitsotakis urged them to consider it.

“It will be a choice of unity and prospect for Greece,” Mitsotakis said, thanking Sakellaropoulou, the country’s first female president.

“I tried to fulfil my duties with the greatest possible responsibility,” Sakellaropoulou said, wishing the next Greek president success.