Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to announce national elections on 9 April, according to numerous reports in Greek mainstream media.
Mitsotakis said earlier this week that the elections “will come soon”, but he has so far kept any indication of a date under wraps.
However, Greek media report that the ruling New Democracy party (EPP) is eyeing the 9th of April as a possible date.
On 7 March, the last bill of the Greek parliament is expected to be voted on, and on the coming day (8 March) Wednesday, the prime minister will request the dissolution of the parliament by the country’s president, according to the reports.
Thus, it will be exactly one month and one day before the likely polls on 9 April.
A new electoral law will apply in these elections, making it hard to avoid a coalition government. The first round of the elections will be held based on a proportional election system, and a second round is expected a month later.
In the second round, a party of a coalition of parties will need approximately 38% of the vote to be able to form a government.
Greece to hold elections from April in ‘toxic’ atmosphere
All dates after April are open to hold national elections, Greek media quoted government sources as saying. However, the “Greek Watergate” scandal indicate that the elections will be held in a toxic atmosphere.
Mitsotakis insists that he wants a single-party government, but it is highly unlikely that this will be possible.
It will also be hard for him to find a coalition partner, especially after his relations with the socialists – who rank third in polls behind leftist Syriza – were severely damaged after the “Greek Watergate” scandal.
For its part, the main opposition Syriza party (EU Left) wants to form a “progressive” coalition government with the socialists.
S&D MEP Udo Bullmann recently told EURACTIV Greece that he “trusts” that the Greek socialists will make the “right choices” in the upcoming elections.
(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
