Tsipras calls for snap elections after talks with president
SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras called on the government on Monday to hold snap elections, before Parliament is due to vote for a new president of the republic in February.
Tsipras made the comments after meeting current President Karolos Papoulias. He said he asked the head of state to call a meeting of party leaders to decide on a date for national elections and to agree on a new presidential candidate that could be approved by MPs after the general elections have been held.
The opposition chief argues that there should be a new government in place to negotiate any issues relating to the bailout and debt relief with the troika.
“There needs to be a strong government which has a powerful popular mandate,” he said.
He accused Prime Minister Antonis Samaras of destabilizing the country by insisting on going to the presidential election in February even though it appears that the government does not have the support of the 180 candidates it needs.
