Deputies are being called to decide upon the election of a President earlier than expected. The Parliament’s vote to select a new president will be held on December 17 instead of February 15 as previously scheduled. This round could trigger early elections if Prime Minister Antonis Samaras fails to get his candidate for president elected with 180 votes.

There is optimism in the government that 180 members will be found even though most believe that in the current climate there will just be 174 or 175 votes gathered.

The coalition government made up of the conservative New Democracy and socialist PASOK parties hopes to add another 17 or 18 votes from the 24 independent deputies. Some of the independents, such as Mimis Androulakis said that he would vote “no” as a result of the speeding up of the procedure.

Independents Katerina Markou and George Davris are in favor of the election of a President.

The Coalition of the Left (SYRIZA),Independent Greeks (ANEL), the Democratic Left (DIMAR) are against the election, who along with the Greek Communist Party (KKE) and Golden Dawn (GD) may have the 121 deputies needed to force snap elections.