Bracing for 101-day electoral marathon
Four critical milestones lie ahead until the second ballot is expected, most likely on July 2
The assurance by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that the elections will be held in May, with the 21st and 28th being considered as the most likely days, has put the country’s political system in overdrive until July 2, when the second round is expected. During this time there will be three or probably four periods with extremely dense developments.
Given the 21-day minimum election period, the first period has already begun as Parliament must be dissolved no later than April 28. Until then, few bills and mainly provisions-amendments are planned to be passed. During this time, it is likely that the political leaders will cross swords against the backdrop of the train crash at Tempe.
The second period will begin with the presidential decree on the dissolution of Parliament, and the rollout of procedures to formalize political formations and parliamentary candidates. At the same time, some changes will have to be made at ministerial level with persons of inter-party confidence in view of the elections. This concerns the interior minister and the government spokesman.
The third period will be when the election results are made official, when the parliamentary speaker or his deputy will announce to the president the strength of the parties in the new parliament.
As no single-party government is expected after the first round of voting with the simple proportional electoral system, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou will issue exploratory mandates, with the leaders of the first three parties being addressed in turn.
Meanwhile, Parliament will be convened with its new composition, and the deputies will be sworn in. Each mandate of inquiry is valid for three days. The cumulative period of nine days is considered unlikely to be exhausted in view of indications so far.
Period four begins on July 2, when a second election is scheduled to be held, and which, under a new electoral law, may lead to a single-party government. If there is no single-party government, the cycle of exploratory talks is reopened, with the aim of forming a coalition government. In the event a government is agreed, a few days will be required for its formation and to receive a vote of confidence.
In the extreme case that there is no agreement even then, the country will have to go to a third round of elections.
