By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS 

Greece has dramatically brought forward its presidential election by two months, with a late-night decision on Monday paving the way for a first round of voting on December 17.

Government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi announced on Monday that a first round of voting for Greece’s presidential election will be held later this month, despite no candidates having been agreed by the country’s political parties.

The heads of the country’s parliamentary groups will submit the name of their proposed candidate to the president of the parliament.

In the first round, a successful presidential candidate will require at least 200 votes from members of parliament.

If a winner is not chosen, then a second round of voting will be held after minimum of five days. The second round will also require a 200 MP majority to pass through parliament.

A third and final round would be held in case the required number of votes is not collected.

In the last round 180 votes are needed otherwise the cabinet will have to resign within 10 days and early elections will be declared.

The dates of the three rounds are 17, 23, and 29 December.

The names of the candidates have still not been announced.

The decision to bring forward the election was made on Monday after evaluating the opposition parties’ position on the state budget for 2015 and recent developments with the Eurozone.

The New Democracy and PASOK parties are likely to suggest a common candidate. Deputy prime minister and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos said that the snap presidential election was decided in order to bring stability.

www.aa.com.tr/en