The political decision by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to nominate Konstantinos Tasoulas for the Presidency of the Republic sparked significant discussions but didn’t come as much of a surprise. Perhaps for the first time, a major decision by Mr. Mitsotakis was so widely anticipated that many wondered whether some surprise might await “around the corner.” However, by Saturday, everything had been settled. Mr. Mitsotakis had met with Kostas Tasoulas that day outside the Maximos Mansion and subsequently privately informed Katerina Sakellaropoulou of his choice for her successor.

Ms. Sakellaropoulou was not surprised; she had known since the holiday season about the prime minister’s thoughts on a scenario where she would be succeeded by a political figure. Sources insist that she had received a clear picture of the developments days prior through an official briefing.

The possibility of choosing Tasoulas had apparently been “on the back burner” in Mr. Mitsotakis’s mind for months. It was a choice that ensured “intra-party peace” within New Democracy, as Tasoulas is a figure deeply rooted in the party, well-liked and respected by all MPs, and distinguished for his loyalty to the party’s principles. Sources argue that labeling Tasoulas as a “narrowly partisan” choice is unfair. While he originates from the Right, he has proven his ability to foster effective cross-party collaboration over time.

Other names had been considered in the interim, primarily individuals from the center-left. Tasoulas, however, remained the obvious center-right choice. When it became clear to Mr. Mitsotakis that consensus for the sake of consensus had no real substance, he “played the card” of the Speaker of Parliament. “There are no rules; there are people,” government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis remarked yesterday (on ANT1), defending the prime minister’s choice.

Sources from Maximos Mansion also told protothema.gr that the tradition of proposing a candidate from across the aisle made sense when the political system was divided into two major blocs—a scenario that no longer exists. As Mr. Mitsotakis himself noted in his announcement, having both the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic from the same party does not inherently disrupt institutional balance, as long as the Constitution provides clear safeguards and individuals give meaning to their respective roles.

Message from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Citizens

Rightward Reinforcements
Tasoulas’s selection was welcomed by New Democracy’s “traditional” electoral base. While some centrist voters may have expected a different choice, more right-leaning ND voters had similarly hoped for decisions in the recent past that they did not see materialize. “ND is a center-right party; balance is needed, and we must read the times,” remarked a seasoned parliamentary member of the ruling party to protothema.gr. Meanwhile, a “battle-tested” ND MP commented, “In five days, those complaining today won’t even remember it.”

The proposal for Tasoulas as Speaker of Parliament also preserved the “intra-party peace” painstakingly cultivated after the European elections and the fractures that emerged within the ruling party. It is telling that ND MPs were smiling meaningfully yesterday, while even expelled members Antonis Samaras and Marios Salmas aligned with the decision to support Tasoulas. Broadly speaking, as a senior member observed, since the summer, whenever a major decision was at stake, Mr. Mitsotakis has factored in internal party dynamics. He did so with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who “moved” to the European Commission, and similarly in the case of Konstantinos Tasoulas, as well as the experienced Nikitas Kaklamanis, who will take over as Speaker of Parliament after Tasoulas’s “move” to the Presidential Mansion. Both Tasoulas and Kaklamanis hail from ND’s right-wing faction, though each has their own distinct political profile.

A New Reality
Mitsotakis’s decisions are not independent of the broader context. The prime minister is a proponent of political realism and recognizes the “rightward correction” taking place in Europe and the United States. While not a right-wing politician himself, Mr. Mitsotakis understands that he leads a center-right party that must win the next elections in 2027 and secure the largest possible share of the vote.

This means reconnecting with voters who supported ND in 2023 but either stayed home during the European elections or turned to smaller right-wing parties. The trend of a rightward shift in Europe will be further validated by upcoming elections. On Friday, Mr. Mitsotakis will be in Berlin, where he will meet the potential next Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democrats, Friedrich Merz, at an event organized by the European People’s Party. In any case, those at Maximos Mansion acknowledge that a new reality is emerging, one for which ND must be as prepared as possible.