The candidacy of Nikitas Kaklamanis for the presidency of the Parliament is gathering a wide majority of the plenary session of the Parliament, which could reach 248 deputies.

The voting will take place today at 12:00 noon and according to the official positions of the parties in favor of the candidacy of Kaklamanis for the highest parliamentary office will vote New Democracy, PASOK, Syriza, Hellenic Solution, Spartians and 19 of the total of 23 independent deputies.

PASOK president Nikos Androulakis at a meeting of his parliamentary group on Tuesday afternoon, said, among other things, “PASOK will not follow New Democracy in trampling on institutional traditions. I recommend that we vote for Nikitas Kaklamanis for President of the Parliament, highlighting the different approach to institutions on the part of PASOK.” Similarly, SYRIZA in a statement notes that it respects democracy and the institutions “in contrast to Mr Mitsotakis who circumvents them and instrumentalizes them for his own interests.We will act in the same institutional way in the election of the Speaker of the Parliament, voting for the proposal of the majority. The new President must be the President of the whole Parliament and not only of the ruling party”.

In addition to them, former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and 18 other independent deputies are expected to vote in favour: Marios Salmas, Athena Linou, Evangelos Apostolakis, Pavlos Sarakis, Harris Katsivardas, Michalis Hourdakis, Areti Papaioannou, Petros Pappas and Burhan Baran, Yannis Sarakiotis, Rania Thraskia, Theodora Tzakri, Alexandros Avlonitis, Kyriaki Malama, Ralia Christidou and Giota Poulou, Michael Gayiotakis, George Aspiotis.

On the other hand, KKE will maintain its long-standing stance in similar procedures and will declare “present”, while New Left, Niki, Plefsi Eleftherias and independent MPs George Manousos, Yannis Dimitrokallis, Dionysis Valtogiannis, Kostas Floros will vote “present”.

It should be noted that in the procedures for the election of President of the Parliament and President of the Republic, MPs have only the option of voting “yes” or “present”.