11 November 2014
Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos has said he would consider supporting former Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for the role of President if his party participates in a coalition government with Syriza.
Speaking at Nikos Chatzinikolaou’s TV programme “Ston Eniko” on Monday night, the right-wing, anti-bailout party leader said that Independent Greeks “will not vote for anyone before a national election takes place”, but if the party participates in a coalition government – led by "Syriza or any other party the people will decide to vote", it will “discuss the presidency issue for Costas Karamanlis or any other political figure”.
Once leader of New Democracy, Karamanlis has been on the sidelines of politics since losing the elections to socialist Pasok in 2009.
Asked why his anti-bailout party would support pro-bailout Karamanlis, Kammenos said that “this is different to electing him as president”.
Speaking about a potential collaboration with left-wing Syriza in a coalition government, Kammenos said that the two parties have fundamental differences in terms of national issues, but might reach an agreement on other matters.
The right-wing leader also called on President Karolos Papoulias to step down in order for a snap election to take place in the coming months.
He said he was saddened that some Independent Greeks MPs had left the party, adding that he “never ousts anti-bailout MPs” and inviting them to come back.
The right-wing party currently holds 13 seats in parliament and is polling at around 3 percent.
Kammenos denied a claim by Independent Greeks MEP Notis Marias that the party “is drifting in favour of a bailout”, adding that Independent Greeks voted for a new government measure for the settlement of debts in 100 instalments “because we can’t say no to everything”.
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