Political leaders have put their cards on the table just a few hours prior to the first round in the election process for a new Greek president. Conservative ND Prime Minister Antonis Samaras called on political factions to “rethink” their views and consider where dissension can lead.

For the first round, the government’s candidate Stavros Dimas would need 200 votes to be successful, but it is unlikely that he will gather from 162 to 165 at best. The coalition government of the ND and socialist PASOK parties give Mr. Dimas a certain 155 votes as well as seven votes from independents, however 121 deputies from the main opposition Radical Left SYRIZA party, the Independent Greeks ANEL party, the Democratic Left DIMAR, the ultranationalist Golden Dawn GD party and the Greek Communist Party will vote against Mr. Dimas.

For the second round, Mr. Dimas would also need 200 votes, but the third round that is scheduled for December 29 places the threshold at 180 votes. However, it will still be difficult for the government to get the required support to win even the third round that would lead to national elections.

The role of president in Greece is more a titular role, however its rescheduling from February to December has caused political uncertainty that has drawn international attention. If the parties don’t manage to vote for a new President, then parliament will be dissolved and there could be early elections in January.

Recent polls show that the difference between the conservative New Democracy and main opposition Radical Left SYRIZA has shrunk to between 2.8 and 4.9 units. SYRIZA had been in the lead for months, however the lead isn’t large enough to assure victory for SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras.

A climate of uncertainty prevails with talk of the “Grexit” once again being brandied by the international media causing the already-fragile Greek finances to wobble. Just when Greeks thought their woes were over and the time had come to exit the austerity-heavy bailout that has crippled Greeks, Mr. Samaras’ decision to move forth the presidential election caused a 20% slide in the Athens Stock Exchange last week.