Tasoulas: National unity is not just wishful thinking but an inviolable condition for achieving great goals

Fate has brought it that, five years after addressing you upon your election, you now welcome me as the new President of the Republic.

I consider it my duty to congratulate you on your service.

You were not only the first female President of the Republic, with all the symbolism that entails.

That symbolism transformed institutionalized equality into a deservedly earned equality.

You carried out your duties while distinctly expressing your personal voice.

You highlighted the culture and values of a country that actively participates in global affairs.

You were a state official on a mission, fulfilling your responsibilities while conveying the message that Greece promotes peace through International Law— the only true safeguard against chaos.

Geopolitical assumptions of global significance appear to be fundamentally challenged, and adapting to the new reality requires more than just diplomatic skill. The new international architecture is becoming increasingly demanding for our country. At the same time, the EU is finally taking steps toward significantly strengthening collective defense.

On the domestic front, the demand for institutional reinforcement is strong and urgent. It has been raised before, but now it has become a pressing social demand—impatient yet often met with skepticism.

A great demand has already been voiced. In the wake of the Tempi tragedy, there is a strong call for justice—justice that defines a modern state. And when society expresses a great demand, it must be met with an equally great response.

There have been similar moments in the past, followed by significant responses, such as during the post-dictatorship period. Likewise, between 1909 and 1915, before the wounds of the Great Division took hold.

I do not equate historical periods, but I remind you that great demands have historically led to great creative responses—responses that we can achieve by trusting the boundless potential of our democratic system.

National unity is not just wishful thinking but an inviolable condition for achieving great goals.

I am called upon to:

1. Defend the Constitution.
2. Defend national integrity.
3. Defend the interests of the Greek people.

I will make every possible effort as the President of all Greeks.

I wish you all the best from this point forward, and especially to you—creativity and contribution in this new chapter of your life.

Sakellaropoulou: I congratulate you on your election

I wholeheartedly wish you every success in your duties. Your previous tenure as Speaker of Parliament and your political journey as a statesperson who serves the values of the nation are a guarantee of success.

You are taking office at a time of successive crises. The unifying and symbolic role of the President of the Republic, dedication to the Constitution and the laws, and engagement with society strengthen the democratic system.

I am confident that you will move in this direction, and I will be at your disposal.

The election of Konstantinos Tasoulas

It is recalled that Mr. Tasoulas, until recently President of the Parliament, was elected President of the Republic on February 12, 2025, receiving the positive vote of 160 MPs.

The ceremony

Today’s session will be chaired by the First Vice-President of the Parliament Ioannis Plakiotakis, while the Second Vice-President George Georgantas will accompany the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos and the other members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.

The new President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, will be welcomed at the Palace of Parliament, at the entrance to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of the Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis. At the monument, the Armed Forces’ medals will be lined up for inspection by the President of the Republic.

After the submission of the prescribed prayers, the elected President of the Republic will place his hand on the Holy Gospel and repeat the oath, which will be read by the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.

The protocol of the oath will then be signed in triplicate by the sworn-in President of the Republic, the President of the Government, the President of the Parliament and the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece.

Konstantinos Tasoulas is sworn in as ninth President of the Republic today

After the swearing-in ceremony, the new President of the Republic will lay a wreath together with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis

The ceremony will conclude with the handover-reception at the Presidential Palace

Plefsi Eleftherias announced abstention from the ceremony

The announcement of Zoe Konstantopoulou’s party states:

Freedom Sailing abstains from today’s swearing-in process of Mr. Tasoulas as President of the Republic. We will not participate in a ceremony that does not echo, but goes against, the sense of justice of society, which massively demonstrated against the cover-up and impunity. We do not legitimize the appointment of Mr. Tasoulas by Mr. Mitsotakis. We continue to fight together with society, for Justice, Oxygen, Meritocracy, Democracy. NO to COVER-UP JUSTICE FOR ALL.

The oath that Konstantinos Tasoulas will take

According to article 33 of the Constitution, the person elected to the highest state office, before officially assuming his duties, takes the following oath before the Parliament: “I swear in the name of the Holy, Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity to uphold the Constitution and the laws, to ensure their faithful observance, to defend the national independence and integrity of the Country, to protect the rights and freedoms of the Greeks and to serve the general interest and progress of the Greek People.“