New Parliament to convene Thursday [UPDATE]
Parliament convened on Thursday with a swearing-in ceremony for the 300 MPs elected in June 17 polls while Friday will see the election of a new parliament speaker.
According to the Constitution, a new government must receive a vote of confidence from Parliament within 15 days of the swearing-in of the prime minister. Antonis Samaras, the leader of conservative New Democracy which emerged first in elections earlier this month, was sworn in last Wednesday. The vote for the new government is expected to be completed at midnight on July 6, according to sources.
ND has proposed conservative stalwart and former minister Evangelos Meimarakis for the post of parliament speaker.
On Friday afternoon a secret vote is to be conducted to elect the seven vice presidents of Parliament. The first three will be appointed from the party with the greatest number of seats — conservative New Democracy — and the other four from the next strongest parties — leftist Syriza, socialist Pasok, rightwing Independent Greeks and extreme-rigth Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn).
