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Greece parliament faces crucial presidency vote | Greece parliament faces crucial presidency vote |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Greek parliament is to vote to elect a new president, a decision that could trigger snap general elections. | |
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has tried twice before to have his candidate, Stavros Dimas, approved. | Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has tried twice before to have his candidate, Stavros Dimas, approved. |
Failure to approve a president would trigger the dissolution of parliament and fresh general election, under the Greek constitution. | |
Polls give a lead to the left-wing Syriza party, who has pledged to renegotiate the country's bailout deal. | |
This would put Greece on a collision course with its EU and IMF creditors, who have loaned the country billions in exchange for deep cuts in government spending. | This would put Greece on a collision course with its EU and IMF creditors, who have loaned the country billions in exchange for deep cuts in government spending. |
Syriza has vowed to keep Greece within the eurozone but wants to roll back some of the reforms imposed as part of the bailout deal. | Syriza has vowed to keep Greece within the eurozone but wants to roll back some of the reforms imposed as part of the bailout deal. |
"Syriza's victory in elections will jumpstart a massive national effort to save society and restore Greece," Syriza's leader Alexis Tsipras said in an article in Avgi newspaper. | "Syriza's victory in elections will jumpstart a massive national effort to save society and restore Greece," Syriza's leader Alexis Tsipras said in an article in Avgi newspaper. |
Samaras warning | Samaras warning |
In the second round of voting last week, Mr Dimas obtained 168 votes, 32 short of the 200 he required. | In the second round of voting last week, Mr Dimas obtained 168 votes, 32 short of the 200 he required. |
Greece's two-party governing coalition has 155 seats and needs support from opposition or independent lawmakers to ensure a win for former EU Environment Commissioner Mr Dimas. | Greece's two-party governing coalition has 155 seats and needs support from opposition or independent lawmakers to ensure a win for former EU Environment Commissioner Mr Dimas. |
In the final round, he only needs the support of 180 MPs to be appointed president. | In the final round, he only needs the support of 180 MPs to be appointed president. |
But few believe he has it, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Athens. | But few believe he has it, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Athens. |
If he does not get the votes required, general elections are likely in late January or early February. | If he does not get the votes required, general elections are likely in late January or early February. |
"The Greek people don't want early elections. The Greek people understand where this adventure could lead," Prime Minister Samaras told Greek television. | "The Greek people don't want early elections. The Greek people understand where this adventure could lead," Prime Minister Samaras told Greek television. |
Although polls suggest Syriza would win early elections, it is not clear they would win a majority. | Although polls suggest Syriza would win early elections, it is not clear they would win a majority. |
The Greek economy has begun to show signs of recovery after years of contraction. | The Greek economy has begun to show signs of recovery after years of contraction. |
But unemployment remains over 25%, and many people have had wages and benefits cut. | But unemployment remains over 25%, and many people have had wages and benefits cut. |