Tassos Symeonides
(RIEAS Academic Advisor based in Seattle, USA)
Copyright: Research Institute for European and American Studies (www.rieas.gr) Publication date: 17 December 2014
Caught in a precipitous downward spiral of public discontent and political uncertainty, Antonis Samaras, the Greek PM, has decided to "surprise" his detractors by calling an early parliamentary vote to elect a new, largely ceremonial, president of the Greek republic. With the incumbent, Karolos Papoulias, scheduled to retire in March 2015, the presidential election has been transformed into a vote of confidence for the shaky Samaras coalition government. Mr. Samaras needs to gather at least 180 votes to clear the hurdle. If he fails, Greece will face an immediate general election early next year....Read more