President of Greece facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Hellenic Republic
Presidential standard
Incumbent Konstantinos Tasoulas since 13 March 2025
Style	His Excellency Mr. President (informal)
Seat	Presidential Mansion, Athens
Nominator	Parliamentary groups
Appointer	Hellenic Parliament
Term length	Five years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Greece (1975)
Inaugural holder	Michail Stasinopoulos (Third Republic)
Formation	18 December 1974; 50 years ago (1974-12-18)
Deputy	President of the Hellenic Parliament
Salary	€138,732 annually

The President of Greece is the official head of state for the country. This important role is also known as the President of the Hellenic Republic. The president is chosen by the Hellenic Parliament, which is Greece's main law-making body. Since 1986, the president's job has mostly been about representing the country, rather than making big political decisions. The office was officially created in 1975 with the Constitution of Greece. However, similar roles existed before, during the Second Hellenic Republic (1924–1935) and a military government in 1973–1974.

What the President Does

The President of Greece is the official commander-in-chief of the Greek Armed Forces. This means they are the highest-ranking person in charge of the military. The president also holds the top spot in the country's official order of importance. Even though the Greek Constitution of 1974 gave the president many powers on paper, in reality, the role has been mostly ceremonial. The Prime Minister is the main leader of the Greek government and the most powerful political figure. The president's role became officially ceremonial after a change to the constitution in 1986.

How the President is Elected

The President of Greece is elected for a five-year term. The election happens in the Hellenic Parliament during a special meeting. This meeting takes place at least one month before the current president's term ends.

Voting Process

The voting process can have up to five rounds, with no more than five days between each round.

• For the first and second rounds, a candidate needs a "supermajority" of 200 votes out of the 300 members of Parliament.
• If no one wins, the third round requires 180 votes.
• If still no winner, the fourth round needs a "simple majority" of 151 votes.
• The fifth and final round is decided by who gets the most votes, even if it's not a majority.

The President's Oath

Before starting their job, the President of Greece must take an oath. This is a special promise made in front of the Parliament. The oath is:

I swear in the name of the Holy, Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity to safeguard the Constitution and the laws, to ensure their faithful observance, to defend the national independence and territorial integrity of the Country, to protect the rights and liberties of the Greeks and to serve the general interest and the progress of the Greek People.

What Happens if the President is Away

If the President of Greece is temporarily away because of illness, travel, or other reasons, the Speaker of Parliament steps in. The Speaker acts as president and uses the president's powers until the president returns. If the presidency becomes empty because of death, resignation, or another reason, the Speaker acts as president until a new president is elected. The most recent person to act as president was Ioannis Alevras in 1985.

Where the President Lives

The official home of the President of Greece is the Presidential Mansion. This building, once called the New Royal Palace, is located in the center of Athens.

The Presidential Mansion in Athens, the official home of the President.

History of the Presidency

The current government system in Greece, called the Third Hellenic Republic, began in 1974. This happened after a period known as metapolitefsi, which followed the end of a military government that had ruled Greece since 1967.

In 1973, the leader of the military government, Georgios Papadopoulos, ended the Greek monarchy and declared himself President. A vote in July 1973 confirmed this change and created a new constitution for a presidential republic. However, this attempt at a controlled return to democracy was stopped by another military leader, Dimitrios Ioannidis, in November 1973. Although the republic remained in name, the military still held the real power. Lt. General Phaedon Gizikis was appointed President, but Ioannidis was the true ruler behind the scenes.

After the military government fell in August 1974, and civilian rule returned under Konstantinos Karamanlis, the military government's actions were declared invalid. A new vote was held in December 1974, which confirmed that the monarchy was abolished. During this time, Gizikis remained president. After the vote, Michail Stasinopoulos became the first elected president.

A new constitution was put in place on June 11, 1975. It declared Greece a "presidential parliamentary democracy." In 1985, the constitution was changed to reduce the president's powers. These changes made the prime minister's position even stronger. The constitution has been updated several times since then, in 2001, 2008, and 2019, and is still used today.

Presidents of the Third Hellenic Republic

President			Term of office			Political party
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Michail Stasinopoulos Μιχαήλ Στασινόπουλος (1903–2002)	18 December 1974	19 July 1975	213 days	New Democracy
			A writer and legal expert, he was the first president after the monarchy was abolished. He was elected without opposition.
2		Konstantinos Tsatsos Κωνσταντίνος Τσάτσος (1899–1987)	19 July 1975	10 May 1980	4 years, 296 days	New Democracy
			A legal expert and government minister, he was elected by Parliament.
3		Konstantinos Karamanlis Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής (1907–1998)	10 May 1980	10 March 1985 (resigned)	4 years, 304 days	New Democracy
			He was Prime Minister before becoming president. He resigned before his term ended.
–		Ioannis Alevras Ιωάννης Αλευράς (1912–1995)	10 March 1985	30 March 1985	20 days	PASOK
			As Speaker of Parliament, he served as acting president after Karamanlis resigned.
4		Christos Sartzetakis Χρήστος Σαρτζετάκης (1929–2022)	30 March 1985	4 May 1990	5 years, 35 days	Independent
			A legal expert, he was supported by the PASOK party and the Communist Party of Greece.
(3)		Konstantinos Karamanlis Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής (1907–1998)	5 May 1990	10 March 1995	4 years, 310 days	New Democracy
			He served a second term as president, elected after a new election was held.
5		Konstantinos Stephanopoulos Κωνσταντίνος Στεφανόπουλος (1926–2016)	10 March 1995	12 March 2005	10 years, 2 days	Independent
			He was a long-serving Member of Parliament and minister. He was re-elected for a second term in 2000.
6		Karolos Papoulias Κάρολος Παπούλιας (1929–2021)	12 March 2005	13 March 2015	10 years, 1 day	PASOK
			A PASOK party member and minister, he was elected for two terms without opposition.
7		Prokopis Pavlopoulos Προκόπης Παυλόπουλος (born 1950)	13 March 2015	13 March 2020	5 years	New Democracy
			A New Democracy party member and minister, he was elected in 2015.
8		Katerina Sakellaropoulou Κατερίνα Σακελλαροπούλου (born 1956)	13 March 2020	13 March 2025	5 years	Independent
			She was the President of the Council of State before becoming the first woman President of Greece.
9		Konstantinos Tasoulas Κωνσταντίνος Τασούλας (born 1959)	13 March 2025	Incumbent	168 days	New Democracy
			A New Democracy party member and former Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, he became president in March 2025.

See also

• List of heads of state of Greece