New parliamentary elections underway for Greek assembly
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According to a decree signed by the country's president, the parliament was dissolved because the last elections made it clear that the formation of a new government would be impossible given the lack of confidence.
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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addresses the Greek Parliament in Athens (AFP)
A document published in the official government gazette that new elections are scheduled to be held on June 25 to elect a new parliamentary assembly after Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou signed a decree to dissolve the newly elected parliament.
According to the decree, the parliament was dissolved because the last elections made it clear that the formation of a new government would be impossible as it lacks confidence.
"We are convening a parliament formed in the elections on Monday, June 3, 2023, at 11:00 [08:00 GMT]," the document signed by the president and caretaker Prime Minister Ioannis Sarmas read.
Greek broadcaster ERT said that as per the country's tradition, the decree was posted on a notice board near the entrance to the parliament.
This marks the second time in the country's modern history that the parliament has been dissolved as soon as it was elected. The first time such an occurrence happened was in 2012.
Read more: Greek Opposition Leader Concedes Defeat in Legislative Polls
The parliament was elected on May 21, sworn in on May 28, and was due to hold its first session on June 1. However, the government proposed to speed up its assembly and dissolution.
On the day the vote was held, none of the parties earned an absolute majority of 151 or more of the 300 seats.
As per a mandate set by the constitution, Sakellaropoulou invited Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to form a government as leader of the party that came first in the elections.
But Mitsotakis, along with Alexis Tsipras, the leader of the opposition Syriza coalition, refused the measure.
The leader of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Nikos Androulakis, likewise refused the mandate on Tuesday.
Read more: Greek center-right hails big win, falls short of majority
