By Dora Antoniou

The open political fronts he bequeaths to the new year in 2024 are not few and several questions demand answers at the beginning of 2025. The choices of the political leadership will determine not only the development of these issues, but also others, which are more or less affected. After all, the decisions and choices made on major political issues, as a rule, affect developments more broadly. Trying to predict the course of things is not easy, it looks like a peculiar “politician Kazamia” of the beginning of time, as developments are rarely linear and surprises cannot be ruled out.

At the beginning of the new year, some of the key questions that stand out and demand answers are:

– Who or what will be chosen for the Presidential election?

Patience will be needed until the middle of the month, as the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has timed the announcement of his decisions during that period. The names that have been heard in recent months cover a wide range of options. The only public proposal was that of Alexis Haritsis, who proposed the head of ADAE, Christos Rammos, who subsequently did not accept the proposal. In relation to the possible choices of the prime minister, who has the final and decisive say, a wide rumor has developed as to the criteria, with some arguing that he will be oriented towards a factional candidacy and others insisting that his political temperament is in favor of search for options with broader semiotics, which can also garner broad support. There are those who argue that Mr. Mitsotakis will seek to confirm the correctness of his decision to propose Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, proposing her again. The weather is near now. Let’s see.

– Can the Presidential election trigger broader political developments?

It certainly cannot automatically lead to elections, as constitutionally the election of the President of the Republic is now disconnected from the appeal to the polls. With the revision of Article 32 of the Constitution in 2019, the provision that provided for the mandatory dissolution of the Parliament in the event of the impossibility of electing the President of the Republic with a three-fifths majority, i.e. 180 deputies, was abolished. Now, the President of the Republic can be elected even with a relative majority, i.e. with less than 151 votes, with no minimum threshold.

Although constitutionally there is no obstacle, any election of the President of the Republic with a small number of positive votes, politically, is not the best scenario and certainly such a development would cause shocks and have an overall effect on the image of the political system, which could even to launch or accelerate electoral processes.

– How likely is a government reshuffle?

Rumors of changes in the government scheme have been strong for some time now. Estimates agree that the Presidential election will be followed by a reshuffle, as an overall attempt will be made to give a restart message. It is not excluded, of course, that the Presidential election itself will make changes in the government structure inevitable. Let’s not forget that among the names that have been heard as possible options are also those of government ministers, such as Nikos Dendias and Lina Mendonis.

– What do we expect in relation to the constitutional revision?

The previous constitutional revision was completed at the end of December 2019, so just a few days ago the five years, which are foreseen as a necessary interval, were completed and the discussion on the next revision of the Constitution can begin. The current Parliament will decide which provisions can be revised in the next one and whether their revision will require a simple majority of 151 votes or an increased majority of 180 votes.

It is considered certain that article 16 of the Constitution for the operation of non-state universities will be included in the discussion for revision, while the president of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis, has publicly proposed changes to the provisions for the selection of the leadership of the Judiciary.