Greek PM Nominates Parliament Speaker for Presidential Post

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou's five-year term expires in March and a parliamentary vote for the largely ceremonial post is expected on Jan. 25, Reuters reported.

To succeed her, a nominee needs the backing of at least 151 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament.

New Democracy, which has been in power since 2019, has 156 seats but the recent expulsion of a former prime minister from its parliamentary group has left some doubt about its cohesion.

The party has also seen a drop in popularity ratings over a cost-of-living crisis and reforms that have pushed away some of its core conservative voters, opinion polls show.

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 his "unifying spirit".

Tassoulas told parliament that the proposal was a top honor.

His nomination is viewed by political analysts as a risk-free, conservative move by the government that 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 Organization 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 fulfill my duties with the greatest possible responsibility," Sakellaropoulou said in a statement, wishing the next Greek president success.