Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the government’s decision to nominate Konstantinos Tasoulas as the candidate for President of the Republic. The first roll-call vote in Parliament is scheduled to take place on January 25th.

Explaining his decision, the Prime Minister stated, “I deemed that in the upcoming period, amidst a turbulent international environment, the country needs a President of the Republic with extensive experience in public affairs and clear political attributes.”

Specifically, regarding Konstantinos Tasoulas, Mitsotakis emphasized, “His broad acceptance is evidenced by the fact that he was elected three times as President of the Hellenic Parliament with the strongest majorities in the post-dictatorship era: 283, 270, and 249 votes. His unifying spirit and his ability to bring people together, I believe, have also been demonstrated by the impeccable, widely acknowledged manner in which he has presided over parliamentary proceedings in a very challenging party-political landscape.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also announced that in the next Constitutional Revision, he will propose that the President of the Republic be elected for a single six-year term. “In this way, the discussion about renewing their term in office would not repeatedly trigger rounds of confrontation. And the institution would remain above party-political expediencies,” he added.

For his part, Konstantinos Tasoulas, in a statement in Parliament immediately following the Prime Minister’s announcement, highlighted the safeguarding of national unity and ensuring the harmonious functioning of institutions as his top priorities.

See Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ message

The Prime Minister’s message:

Today, I share with you my thoughts on the highest constitutional office. At the same time, I announce the proposal of New Democracy for the person who will be called to serve it. Because the citizens must know, judge the arguments, and thus become participants in all developments in public life.

The President of the Republic must possess high prestige, broad acceptance, and certainly experience, knowledge, and practical respect for the institutions. However, broad acceptance does not necessarily mean a proposal beyond the ruling government’s majority. On the contrary, it signifies a person who will inspire trust in society, who will have the ability to unite and bring people together.

Because, while the head of state may have limited executive powers, they represent the symbol of the nation. Therefore, in relation to their high mission, their political starting point is of lesser significance. On the other hand, neither the different origins of the President and the Prime Minister guarantees constitutional balance, nor does their political alignment automatically create institutional risk. Our Constitution provides all the guarantees, and history shows that it is the individuals who ultimately give value to the institutions.

Given, moreover, the unifying mission of the President of the Republic, I believe they should be elected for a single 6-year term. This way, the discussion of renewing their term in office would not constantly stir up a debate. And the institution would remain far from partisan interests. This is a position we will introduce in Parliament during the upcoming constitutional revision.

With a sense of responsibility, I announce that New Democracy’s proposal for the next President of the Republic will be Konstantinos Tasoulas, the current President of Parliament and third in line in the country’s political hierarchy. His broad acceptance stems from the fact that he was elected three times as President of the Greek Parliament with the strongest majority in the post-dictatorship period: with 283, 270, and 249 votes. His unifying spirit and his ability to bring people together have, I believe, been proven by the flawless, universally acknowledged way he has managed the proceedings of Parliament so far, in a very difficult political landscape.

Konstantinos Tasoulas has also served the country as Mayor, as a Member of Parliament for 25 years, and as Minister. Therefore, he knows well the weight of the responsibility he is called to bear. At the same time, his origins from Epirus, as well as his school years at the Tsochitsa Foundation, have equipped him with the strength of a self-made individual. These also ignited his particular interest in the problems facing the Greek provinces and the concerns of every citizen in every corner of the country.

He also possesses a rich cultural background, deep knowledge of Greek history, true patriotism, and an impeccable character, with social sensitivity and a genuine simplicity and humility. It is not by chance that, despite being at the forefront for many years, he never sought to build his own media profile. All of these, therefore, are guarantees for an excellent term in office.

On her part, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, whom I have already informed of my choice, has honored her mission with consistency and a sense of responsibility. Always upholding national dignity, she has introduced a new, human model of President. With a focus on culture and science, as well as fostering an unpretentious communication with citizens.

However, I have determined that, in the coming period and in a turbulent international environment, the country needs a President of the Republic with a long track record in public affairs and clear political characteristics. In any case, Katerina Sakellaropoulou leaves a positive mark on the history of the country. As Prime Minister and as an ordinary citizen, I honor her and want to thank her sincerely.

I call on all political parties in Parliament to assess Konstantinos Tasoulas’ candidacy through one lens only: that of prestige and experience, knowledge, and character, in order to elevate him to the position of first citizen. And if the impartial answer to these criteria is affirmative, I ask them to support him. It will be a choice of unity and perspective for Greece.