Greek Parliament Fails to Elect President, Triggers Early Elections
The Greek Parliament failed to approve the presidential candidate of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in the third and last round of voting on Monday.
The previous two rounds were also unsuccessful, which means that the country will face early parliamentary elections next year, the BBC reports.
Former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas failed to attract 180 votes which would have been necessary for his election at the third round.
Dimas received the support of 168 MPs, the same number as he had attracted during the second round last week.
In the first round Dimas received 160 votes in favour.
The Constitution provides that following three unsuccessful attempts, the Parliament has to be dissolved and early parliamentary elections have to be called.
Samaras announced that elections would take place on January 25 next year.