Debate on election of president begins in parliamentary committee

An amendment that will preclude the dissolution of Parliament and early elections if there is a deadlock over the election of the country's president was discussed by a special committee of lawmakers on Thursday within the context of the constitutional review.

What was clear was that Greece's political parties are on the same page regarding the need to ensure that Parliament's inability to elect the president will not lead to elections, but differ in their proposals on how this will be secured.

Changing the way the president is elected will ensure that the government will not be toppled by the main opposition if there is a deadlock during presidential elections in 2020.

Given that the amendment can be passed into law by a simple majority (at least 151 votes), the change will be based on the proposal drafted by ruling New Democracy.

This proposal...