Greece's lawmakers attend the second round of voting to elect a new
Greek president at the Parliament in Athens on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014.
Greek lawmakers have failed to elect the country’s new president in a second round of voting, leaving the government with a final attempt next week to break an impasse that could force early elections. The conservative-led government’s candidate, Stavros Dimas, received 168 votes in Tuesday’s ballot, far short of the 200 needed for his election
A candidate must receive at least 200 votes in the first and second round, majority of two thirds of the 300-member strong chamber, under voting rules and a minimum 180 votes in the third ballot.
Greek lawmakers have failed to elect the country’s new president in a second round of voting, leaving the government with a final attempt next week to break an impasse that could force early elections. The conservative-led government’s candidate, Stavros Dimas, received 168 votes in Tuesday’s ballot, far short of the 200 needed for his election
A candidate must receive at least 200 votes in the first and second round, majority of two thirds of the 300-member strong chamber, under voting rules and a minimum 180 votes in the third ballot.
In case of failure, the parliament will dissolve within 10 days
Greece's two-party coalition will need the support of opposition or independent lawmakers to win the vote
The Greek parliament has
failed for a second time to approve a new president, bringing the
country closer to a snap election early next year.
Government candidate Stavros Dimas got 32 votes short of the 200 required, meaning a third and final vote will now be held on Dec 29,2014
For that election, the required number of votes to win will be lowered to 180.
PM Antonis Samaras said he was optimistic that Tuesday's improved result would lead to victory next week.
"I am hopeful that in the third round we will avoid a national danger," Stavros Samaras said immediately after Tuesday's parliamentary vote in which Stavros Dimas secured 168 votes - 12 short of the total required for victory in the decisive third vote.
Opposition Syriza party leader Alexis Tspiras said that there was no option other than to hold a general election, which will have to be held in any case if next's week final round is also inconclusive.
Tuesday's result marks a remarkable improvement compared to the first round on Dec. 17 when the coalition which holds 155 seats in the chamber had convinced only five independent MPs to back Dimas.
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