The government of Greece on Monday, brought forward an important presidential vote by over two months to be held next week in a crucial gamble that is aimed at ending the uncertainty politically that has been hanging over the country for many months.
The government’s decision came after finance ministers in the euro zone said they supported the granting of a request by Greece for only an extension of two months for its bailout program, which is a boost for Antonis Samaras the Prime Minister, who had pushed for to exit the bailout program early because of its unpopularity in Greece.
The vote by parliament to select a president, the first round being on December 17 and not February 15, could trigger an early election if Samaras does not get his candidate elected.
However, analysts and officials said the move to move the vote forward was a sign the coalition government, which comprises 155 parliament lawmakers, has improved the prospects of securing the support its needs to move forward.
The law in Greece stipulates that parliament needs to be dissolved and new elections must be called if a new president is not elected.
The decision has thrown down the gauntlet to over two dozen lawmakers that are straddling the fence. It allows Samaras the chance to argue they have the choice to side with his government that is pro-bailout to lead the country from its problems or usher in new uncertainty with quick elections and the possible victory of a group of leftist radicals who vowed to tear up the bailout program.
Officials in the government said the eurozone ministers move to grant the country an extension for two months to its bailout rather than to settle for an extension of six months that Athens had objected to, was a boost.
It gives Greece, said lawmakers enough time to finish the delayed bailout review prior to exiting the program once and for all.
Samaras has not announced his presidential candidate yet. The vote is to be held over a period of three rounds, with the last round in late December.
