Can this Parliament elect the President of the Hellenic Republic?

Government policy makers are optimistic – The role of 20 independent Mps, Democratic Left party and Independent Greeks party that were defeated in recent elections is very crucial

The coalition government of New Democracy and PASOK has currently a slight majority of 152 seats (125 and 27 respectively), but government officials expressed their confidence that the upcoming period they will ensure the support of other MPs, who do not want early elections.

Some of the government policy makers are optimistic ad believe that it is possible to find 180 parliamentary votes required to elect a new President of the Hellenic Republic in early 2015, without going to the polls, as SYRIZA insisted, even before its recent victory in European elections.

Whether government’s initiative to increase the parliamentary majortiy is planned for the next few days and in the framework of the government reshuffling or it will take place gradually over time, is something that is not yet clear.

The support of MPs Loverdos Andreas and Christos Aidonis to the government is considered to be certain since they have approached again PASOK party.

So, along with these two members and one member of New Democracy, Mr Mprianis who will swear to the Parliament at the end of August, the government will have 155 seats.

Also, government policy makers indicate that there are many independent MPs whom they can approach in order to further increase the parliamentary majority.

However, in order to get the required additional votes for the formation of the presidential majority of 180 votes, the government would have to cooperate with at least one of the big losers of the European elections , the Independent Greeks or Democratic Left who have 15 and 14 MPs respectively.

On the other hand, it is certain that SYRIZA will also approach other Members of the Parliament so as to prevent the formation of an increased majority.

However, even if SYRIZA increase the 71 seats that currently has, it is quite hard to find allies to impose his will. Along with Golden Dawn and the Communist Party of Greece, who have 16 and 12 members respectively, and it is certain that they will not agree to the election of the President by this Parliament, SYRIZA will hardly exceed the sum of 120 MPs needed to enforce early elections.

For this case, too Independent Greeks and Democratic Left play a decisive role, since SYRIZA might approach them to prevent the formation of an increased majority by the government.