A brief who's who on the Greek political scene: Stavros Dimas and more
Stavros Dimas
Now the Greek government’s presidential nominee, thanks to a phone call from current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Dimas was better known as the former EU commissioner.
At 75 years old, the MP was rumoured to be one of the potential nominees, but sources insist the decision was not finalised until Monday.
As Greek EU commissioner for Environmental Matters, Dimas received a number of distinctions. He is backed by the coalition government, which is made up of the conservative New Democracy and socialist PASOK parties.
There are seven main parties in the Greek parliament.
New Democracy (ND)
Antomis Samaras is the party leader and he has governed as Prime Minister of Greece since 2012. This party is known as liberal-conservative. Educated at Harvard University, Samaras is aged 63.
Coalition of the Radical Left – Unitary Social Front (SYRIZA)
Alexis Tsipras is the party leader, he is known as the Leader of the Opposition in this far-left political party. Aged 40, Tsipras assumed office in 2012.
Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)
Evangelos Venizelos is the party leader, known as the current President of the social-democratic party, PASOK. Aged 57, he assumed office in 2013.
Golden Dawn (XA)
Nikolaos Michaloliakos is the party leader, known as the Secretary General of the far-right party Golden Dawn. Aged 57, he assumed office in 1993.
Independent Greeks (ANEL)
Panos Kammenos is the party leader, known as the founder of the right-wing, anti-austerity Independent Greeks. Aged 49, he assumed office in 2012.
Democratic Left (DIMAR)
Fotis Kouvelis is the party leader and is known as the President of the social-democratic party, Democratic left. Aged 66, he assumed office in 2010.
Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
Dimitris Koutsoumpas is the party leader and is known as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece, which is the country’s oldest political party . Aged 59, he assumed office in 2013.