Countdown for presidential selection begins

The countdown to the selection of Greece’s next president has begun, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis set to announce his pick for the country’s highest ceremonial post in mid-January or by the end of that month at the latest.
The decision will be taken during the holiday period following critical discussions in Hania on the island of Crete.
According to reports, the current president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, whose term ends on March 13, 2025, remains a potential candidate for reappointment.
However, political insiders suggest that Mitsotakis is leaning toward a figure who represents centrist ideals, as he seeks to secure the backing of all 156 ruling party members, while also putting pressure on opposition parties, not least main opposition socialist PASOK.
The prime minister faces mounting pressure to make his decision before the end of January, as parliamentary voting must begin by mid-February. The process could require up to five rounds of voting, depending on whether the candidate garners the necessary majority.
Early rounds demand 200 votes, later falling to 180 and then 151 votes.
Prominent names in contention include former prime minister Lucas Papademos and former PASOK vice president Evangelos Venizelos, Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras, and several center-left politicians.
Mitsotakis must also weigh whether opting for a new figure would raise questions about bypassing Sakellaropoulou, the nation’s first female president, who remains popular.
The decision symbolizes more than just selecting a leader; it will shape Greece’s political landscape by signaling either continuity or change.
With significant political stakes tied to this choice, all eyes are on Mitsotakis as he deliberates during the festive season.
Stavros Papandoniou-Kathimerini