The Presidential scale tips in favor of Tasoulas – Mitsotakis’ thoughts and Sakellaropoulou’s position

In roughly 24 hours from now, with Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to the Presidential Mansion at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, the formal process of electing a new President of the Republic to succeed Katerina Sakellaropoulou will officially begin, as her term is nearing its conclusion.

According to protothema.gr, Mr. Mitsotakis is expected to publicly thank Ms. Sakellaropoulou for her five years of service, which will also provide an indication of the Prime Minister’s intentions, to be announced later in the day or, at the latest, on Thursday via a televised statement.

The same sources indicate that Katerina Sakellaropoulou is not expected to be surprised by the non-renewal of her term. Despite various press reports and efforts by members of the Prime Minister’s circle in her favor, she is said to have received clear signals regarding the Prime Minister’s preferences through specific channels, given that Mr. Mitsotakis currently favors a political figure for the role.

What remains unknown to Ms. Sakellaropoulou is who will succeed her for the next five years, starting mid-March, when her term officially ends. It is worth noting that her continued tenure in the highest constitutional office is seen as a potential casus belli for the ND base and several MPs.

The Scale Tips in Favor of Tasoulas

As revealed in the Sunday exposé by THEMA, the Prime Minister’s shortlist recently narrowed to two names: Speaker of Parliament Kostas Tasoulas and former PASOK leader and seasoned political figure Evangelos Venizelos. However, from Saturday onward, after Mr. Mitsotakis’ final meeting at the Maximos Mansion before his trip to Saudi Arabia, the scale began to tip in favor of Kostas Tasoulas, who had just returned to Athens from Ioannina, where he spent the weekend.

The Epirus-born politician, with his long parliamentary career, is considered a figure broadly acceptable to the “entire ND.” However, Mr. Mitsotakis recognizes that nominating Tasoulas might require a fourth round of voting in Parliament, as PASOK is unlikely to support him.

In any case, government officials, such as government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, have recently emphasized that unifying figures do not necessarily have to come from the center-left, effectively highlighting the inclination toward the current Speaker of Parliament. If Mr. Tasoulas were to move to the Presidency, Nikitas Kaklamanis is strongly rumored to replace him as Speaker, although other names might also emerge.

The Case for Venizelos

The name of Evangelos Venizelos remains a hot topic, as no one doubts his institutional experience, legal expertise, and political acumen. Having served alongside Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the bailout years, Venizelos is believed to be capable of securing PASOK’s votes, surpassing the threshold of 180 votes. As a government source told protothema.gr, “Anything other than Sakellaropoulou would be approved by the Parliamentary Group without significant resistance.”

Venizelos, however, represents a high-risk political choice for Mr. Mitsotakis, according to political observers. Government sources, meanwhile, urge patience, refraining from outright endorsing the Tasoulas scenario, citing past instances where Mitsotakis surprised even his inner circle. Nevertheless, no other names have been on the Prime Minister’s radar in recent days.

Consensus Citizens, for their part, emphasize the need for broad consensus regarding the individual who will assume the highest constitutional office for the next five years. According to yesterday’s Opinion Poll for Action24, 76% of respondents favor a choice that fosters the greatest possible consensus. Even among ND voters, 75% align with this view.

Government sources, however, argue that a Tasoulas nomination does not inherently reject consensus, as the Speaker of Parliament is not narrowly partisan. They also point out that Tasoulas received 249 votes from across the political spectrum when elected Speaker in the summer of 2023.

Two prominent figures are widely regarded as leading contenders for the role, while SYRIZA’s proposal of Louka Katseli adds a fresh dynamic to the political landscape.

The Frontrunners

Two names are gaining traction in discussions about the presidency:

Kostas Tasoulas: The Speaker of Parliament is a favourite, admired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his integrity, sharp wit, and measured demeanour. Tasoulas is widely respected for his ethical approach to politics and low-profile leadership style.

Evangelos VenizelosEvangelos Venizelos: A seasoned politician, Venizelos is seen as a unifying candidate who could secure broad support. Known for his deep understanding of the institutional role of the President, he represents a choice that could bridge political divides.

SYRIZA’s Proposal: Louka Katseli

SYRIZA has proposed Louka Katseli as their candidate for the presidency, positioning her as a progressive alternative. Katseli, who has roots in the “Papandreou-era” PASOK, is seen as a figure capable of fostering communication with PASOK’s current leadership under Nikos Androulakis. However, Androulakis has expressed reservations about SYRIZA’s approach, emphasising the need for a candidate who represents broader consensus.

Public Opinion on the Process

An opinion poll reveals that 76% of Greeks favor bipartisan consensus in the selection of the President, reflecting a strong desire for unity during the process. Additionally, 44% of respondents indicated that the behaviour of political leaders and parties during this election would influence their perception of them.

Source: pagenews.gr