Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated parliament speaker Constantine Tassoulas from his center-right New Democracy party for the Greek presidency on January 15, Report informs via Reuters.
President Katerina Sakellaropoulou's five-year term expires in March and a parliamentary vote for the largely ceremonial post is expected on Jan. 25.
To succeed her, a nominee needs the backing of at least 151 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament.
New Democracy, which has been in power since 2019, has 156 seats but the recent expulsion of a former prime minister from its parliamentary group has left some doubt about its cohesion.
The party has also seen a drop in popularity ratings over a cost-of-living crisis and reforms that have pushed away some of its core conservative voters, opinion polls show.
Mitsotakis said in a televised address that he chose the 66-year old, who has been a lawyer and lawmaker since 2000 and served as culture minister, because of his political experience, widespread acceptance, and his "unifying spirit."