Greece stepped into a new political chapter as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis received the mandate to form a government following the recent elections. While the vote had already signaled a push for new elections, the path forward was clarified after the presidential round of confirmation, with a likely timeline suggesting a possible new vote around late June (ERT reports).
President Katerina Sakellaropoulou confirmed that Mitsotakis, whose party New Democracy emerged as the clear winner with a solid share of the ballot, was empowered to assemble a new cabinet in accordance with the constitutional provisions. The president’s action reflects the mandate granted by the parliament after the electoral verdict.
Mitsotakis queried the timing but asserted that he would not delay the process. He acknowledged that an outright majority would not be achieved, and indicated an intention to submit the relevant cabinet lineup later in the day. The political spotlight will then shift to Alexis Tsipras and his SYRIZA party, which captured a smaller portion of the vote and now faces the task of forming a viable parliamentary path, potentially impacting the next steps for coalition discussions.
According to ERT, the incumbent prime minister underscored the need for a robust government capable of steering the country through current challenges. He argued that a subsequent election could consolidate New Democracy’s majority, noting that the electoral system includes a seat bonus mechanism intended to strengthen the party with the most votes in the parliament.
In comments attributed to Mitsotakis, the premier emphasized that the national agenda should focus on substantive issues. He described Sunday’s turnout and the involvement of expatriates as a marker of political maturity, while also pointing out a reduction in abstentions as a positive sign for Greece’s democratic process.
The constitution requires new elections if the three major parties fail to secure a parliamentary majority. Although July had been floated as a potential election window, indications suggest Mitsotakis intends to leverage the momentum from the recent results to expedite the electoral timetable and minimize the interval before a new parliamentary session can be convened.