The first round of votes for the Presidential election in Greece will be held this evening at 19:00, Athens time. Former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas has emerged as the frontrunner for Greece's presidential candidacy.

The Greek Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic is elected through vote by roll call in a special sitting. The required majority that should be attained during the first vote is at least 200 votes - that is two-thirds of the majority of the total 300 members of parliament (MPs).

Should the majority not be attained, the ballot must be repeated after five days. If the second ballot fails to produce the required majority, the ballot must once more be repeated after five days; if the third ballot fails to produce at least 180 votes, Parliament must be dissolved within ten days of the ballot, and a national election will be called.

It is noted that according to the Standing Orders of Hellenic Parliament, the vote follows proposals that have been submitted only by Parliamentary Groups. The right for a proposal belongs also to the group of independent MPs and as a candidate is considered the independent MP who has gathered the majority of the recommendations amongst the Group's members. MPs who do not wish to express a preference in favour of a specific candidate, declare themselves "present."