Greece
presidential elections
08/02/2005
Sources: IFES website, Athens News Agency
Election Summary
On February 8th, 2005 the Greek Parliament elected a successor to President Kostis Stephanopoulos, whose five-year mandate had come to an end.
The sole candidate for the mostly ceremonial post was Karolas Papoulias of the opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement. He won with an overwhelming 279 votes, garnering support from both the ruling and opposition parties.
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis explained his choice of the former foreign minister, saying his career had been marked by "conscientiousness and consensus".