Prokopis Pavlopoulos was voted the next Greek president on Wednesday evening by the Greek Parliament, with a total of 233 votes that included the ruling coalition parties and New Democracy (ND).

According to AMNA, Pavlopoulos was the candidate proposed by the senior ruling coalition partner SYRIZA. He was endorsed by junior partner ANEL and by main opposition ND party, whose minister he once was. 

To Potami΄s candidate, Nikos Alivizatos, received a total of 30 votes; he was also supported by PASOK. Extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), voted “present”. In total, 32 lawmakers voted “present”.

Pavlopoulos will replace President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, whose second and last term ends in March.

The newly-elected President, accepted on Wednesday his election from parliament as a great debt towards Greek citizens, following a visit by Parliament speaker Zoi Konstantopoulou at 10.30, who officially announced him the result. 

This debt is represented in the oath of the President, Pavlopoulos said, which has four main pillars: The strict adherence to the Constitution without any compromises, the defense of national sovereignty, the protection of the weak and the protection of national interest.

“Defence so that we can exit the nightmare of the crisis we’re living. We are giving a fight along with other European people, not just for us, but for Europe itself,” he noted. 

Pavlopoulos also said he has never made any compromises so far in his life and this is what he’ll do until the last day in office.