The first ballot for the election of the new President of the Hellenic Republic will be held on December 17, two months ahead of schedule, announced government spokeswoman Sophia Voultepsi on Monday. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and government Vice President Evangelos Venizelos, after consulting with the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, requested Parliament President Evangelos Meimarakis to speed up the process for presidential election so that the vote to be held on Wednesday, December 17, writes Voultepsi on her announcement.
Prior to this date, presidents of parliamentary groups will be having the opportunity to submit the name of their candidate by letter to the president of Parliament.
A presidential candidate should collect at least 200 votes during the first roll-call vote on December 17. If this number is not reached, a second round of voting must be held after a minimum of five days.
If the second round is also not successful in electing a President, there will be a third and final voting in which the winning candidate must secure 180 votes, otherwise the cabinet must resign within 10 days and early national elections be declared.
Parliament President set the dates that deputies will be called on to vote, as December 17, 23 and 19.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to announce the government's candidate for president of the Republic on Tuesday.