The name of EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos was brandied as the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s proposal for presidential candidate, however, the announcement was postponed Sunday evening — even after the government requested TV time to finalize the name.
Government Spokesperson Gavriil Sakellaridis said SYRIZA’s candidate would be announced on Tuesday, following Monday’s Eurogroup meeting.
Sakellaridis said Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has had talks with EU and Greek government officials, including a telephone conversation with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The EC president reportedly does not want Avramopoulos to move from his home affairs and citizenship portfolio, though sources close to Avramopoulos on Friday said Juncker would have no problem with his replacement.
SYRIZA circles claim that a number of leftist deputies are unhappy with the strategic choice of the conservative New Democracy (ND) politician for the honorary, purely titular position. Productive Reconstruction Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis met with Tsipras to discuss his reservations. Other deputies who are unhappy with the choice include SYRIZA central committee Secretary Dimitris Vitsas and Parliamentary spokesperson Nikos Filis. Other deputies who have expressed reservation.
Other “rumoured” proposals
Dora Bakoyannis – The ex-foreign minister was proposed by Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos, who is in coalition with SYRIZA, though it is also stated that Kammenos would not have a problem with any other proposal.
Prokopis Pavlopoulos – Another ANEL choice from the conservative ranks. Pavlopoulos served as minister for the interior from 2004-2007.
Ioanna Karystiani – The Greek author/screenwriter is a lawyer and worked as a cartoonist in the press, including the communist newspaper Rizospastis and magazines such as Tetarto, Ena and Eikones. She is the author and screenwriter of the popular film Mikra Anglia (Little England), directed by her husband.
Manolis Drettakis – Manolis Drettakis, a mostly retired centre-left minister best remembered from the 1980s. He was finance minister for socialist PASOK from 1981-1982, is one of the Lafazanis’ suggestions for president.
Costa-Gavras – Greek-French film producer and director, an outsider but still a contender.
The Greek Parliament will vote for the president on Wednesday following Tuesday’s announcement — assuming that the current timetable holds, and isn’t changed like it was on Sunday.
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