Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis finally announced the date for the parliamentary elections on Tuesday.
“2023 elections will be held at the end of the four-year legislative period, on May 21,” Mitsotakis said in a live broadcast from a meeting with the Council of Ministers, the last one before the elections.
“The country and the citizens need clear horizons and despite those who spread the opposite scenarios, the elections will be held at the end of the 4 years. They will take place on May 21.”
In the event that a government is not formed in the first round of elections, “the second round, so as to cancel the adventure of the simple majority, will be held by the beginning of July the latest,” the PM added. – Or the last Sunday of June, media report.
He stressed the lack of governance due to “simple majority” claiming that “all countries that apply this system are unable to be governed,” even cited “Bulgaria as an example, saying that there have been five electoral contests in two years.”
Note that with the “simple majority” that is first time implemented in Greece after decades, there is no seats-bonus for the party getting the highest voters’ rate.
“The first ballot will decide who will govern and the second how they will govern,” Mitsotakis said during his introduction at the Council of Ministers adding “majority government with New Democracy means a strong Greece.”
“Citizens will be asked to judge preparedness in crisis management as well as honesty. The people will weigh in and I’m sure they will make the right decision,” he emphasized adding “our motto from now on is: we move forward together, changing Greece more uncompromisingly and bolder.”
“Despite the great difficulties, we kept all pre-election commitments. We reduced taxes and contributions, have better hospitals and health services and supported the income of the citizens” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.
According to the Constitution, the Premier will have to officially inform the President of the Republic on the elections date, the parliament will be dissolved on April 12 that coincides with the Easter holidays, a caretaker government will be appointed with a new Interior Minister who will lead the country to elections and a new government spokesman.