Fri Sep 13 19:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Greek PM Avoids Responsibility on Presidential Election, Blames Media for “Recycling” Discussion

Thessaloniki, Greece – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has once again deflected responsibility, this time regarding the upcoming presidential election, blaming the media for “recycling” the discussion about the next president.

During a recent visit to the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Mitsotakis was asked about his plans for selecting the next president, specifically whether he would follow the constitutional provision requiring only 151 votes or seek broader consensus. Instead of addressing the question directly, he expressed regret over the “endless and premature” discussion and accused the media of unfairly targeting President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the institution itself.

However, critics argue that the prime minister could easily end the discussion by simply clarifying his intention to follow the precedent set by previous governments during their second term. Past administrations have typically re-nominated the same president, leading to a smooth and largely uneventful process.

Political commentators point to the 2000 and 2008 re-elections of Kostis Stefanopoulos and Karolos Papoulias, respectively, as examples. In contrast, the 1985 re-election of Konstantinos Karamanlis was met with significant debate, highlighting the potential for controversy surrounding the presidential selection.

While acknowledging the media’s role in highlighting the issue, the article emphasizes that the discussion is not solely driven by journalists. It is actively taking place within New Democracy circles, the government administration, and even at Maximos Mansion, the Prime Minister’s official residence.

The article concludes by asserting that the media should not be blamed for the “recycling” of this discussion, as it is a topic naturally arising within the political sphere. The focus on personalities, rather than policy, is a common journalistic practice, but does not negate the existence of genuine debate on this crucial issue.

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