Conservative New Democracy (ND) Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and socialist (PASOK) Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos have increased their efforts in backstage negotiations over the Christmas holiday in a bid to raise the number of lawmakers voting for former EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas. The second round of voting on December 23 gathered 168 deputies in favor of Mr. Dimas giving some hope to the coalition government that just needs another 12 votes on Monday, December 29, for their candidate to win. A victory would avert a general election at a time when the main opposition Radical Left (SYRIZA) party is ahead in opinion polls.

The vote-gathering process has been made more difficult by the fact that several deputies of the Democratic Left (DIMAR) party have voiced their support for SYRIZA, whereas help from the Independent Greeks (ANEL) is difficult following allegations made by ANEL deputy that he was offered a bribe to back Mr. Dimas though his complaint was investigated and deemed unfounded.

Mr. Dimas also placed a condition for his election. “In respect of the democratic institutions, under no circumstances would I accept to be elected President of the Republic with votes from (ultranationalist) Golden Dawn,” said Mr. Dimas, ruling out the possibility of accepting support from jailed fascist MPs.

In the third round, the votes of additional DIMAR MPs are expected, however these are not expected to be enough to reach the 180 votes required to avert snap elections.