PM Tsipras' announcement of the candidate for President of the Republic postponed

The government was expected to make the long-awaited announcement of the name of its candidate for the position of the President of the Republic tonight, after 20.00.

However, as it was announced a few minutes ago by NERIT public broadcaster, the announcement has been postponed.

For several weeks now, Dimitris Avramopoulos, the former defense minister and current EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship has been widely expected to be the government's candidate to replace the outgoing President Karolos Papoulias.

However, the presense of Panagiotis Lafazanis at Maximos Mansion on Sunday evening may indicate a change of heart on behalf of the government.

It should be noted that Lafazanis, who is the Minister of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy and the leader of SYRIZA's left platform, is reportedly opposed to Avramopoulos candidacy.

Government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis stated at around 21.30 that the Parliamentary Group of SYRIZA will convene on Tuesday morning - after the Eurogroup meeting on Monday - to decide on the government' candidate, so that the elections could be held on Wednesday at the Greek parliament.

 

 

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