Galery

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Greeks seem divided into two camps with regard to the forthcoming elections for President, who has to be nominated by the current or the next parliament.

This is the conclusion of a recent poll that ALCO conducted on behalf of Action 24 TV channel, specifying that Greeks want a person who is out of politics and has contributed in other areas of life.

However, the results of the poll, which took place between Thursday and Sunday and involved 1,000 people, show that Greeks seem "confused" in terms of the role that the head of state should play.

Asked whether the President's role is important, 57% of respondents state “no”, 40% believe his or her role is important and 3% did not respond.

At the same time, Greeks are divided into two camps, 50% of them stating that they do not care who the next President will be whereas 50% respond that they are interested in this.

As for the possibility of early elections, 46% believe that this parliament has to elect the President of the Republic, and 42% believe that the country should proceed to parliamentary elections.

In terms of the quality that the next President of Greece is required to have, 38% of respondents state that he or she must have a social contribution, 26% international prestige, 18% political experience, whereas 17% think that the President must come from the cultural circles.

Only 30% of respondents would like the candidate to come from the political circles, 50% prefer him or her to come from another area, and 20% did not respond.

To the question in connection with those who are considered as possible candidates, the respondents answered in the following way:

•   Fotis Kouvelis - 13%

•   Nikos Konstandopoulos - 10%

•   Maria Damanaki - 7%

•   Stavros Dimas - 7%

•   None - 52%

•   No answer - 11%

Interesting are the respondents’ answers in terms of who they would prefer to see in the role of President. Those most preferred by the respondents are famous Byzantinologist Helene Glykatzi Ahrweiler, former president of the Organizing Committee of the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004 Gianna Aggelopoulou, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO Mariana Vardinogianni, prominent Greek physicist Dimitris Nanopoulos, Constitutional Law Professor at the University of Athens Nikos Alivizatos, Professor of Physics and twice Rector of the University of Crete Giorgos Grammatakakis and great Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.