In the space of two months, two former presidents have died. Karolos Papoulias in December and Christos Sartzetakis yesterday, 3rd February. Both men were 93. Both men were northerners, Papoulias from Epirus and Sartzetakis from our own Thessaloniki. Both men were equally well-known in Greece though Sartzetakis was better-known internationally. This was because he prosecuted the policemen involved in the murder of Gregoris Lambrakis in 1963 despite obstructions placed in his way by the police and the deep state. In the film ‘Z’ (based on the novel by Vassilis Vassilkos) Sartzetakis was portrayed by Jean-Louis Trintignant.
Greek presidents are elected by Parliament. 60% of the MPs + 1 is the magic number ie 181 seats in Greece’s 300-seat chamber. The circumstances surrounding Sartzetakis’ election were controversial for three reasons. First, Papandreou went back on his word to President Karamanlis. (He had initially promised to support him for a second term in office.) Second, as Papandreou could not trust all his MPs, he resorted to skulduggery – basically he did away with the secret ballot in the following way. He had blue pieces of paper printed with Sartzetakis’ name on them. MPs were required to place these ballot papers in semi-transparent, white envelopes. Even with that level of chicanery, the battle wasn’t won, which brings us to the third reason. Karamanlis had resigned so the parliamentary speaker (PASOK MP, Ioannis Alevras) was both speaker and acting president. Constitutional lawyers debated on whether or not Alevras could vote. In the end, with the blue envelopes Sartzetakis secured 180 votes, one vote short. Sartzetakis needed Alevras’ disputed casting vote to be elected. Not the best of starts to one’s presidency. You can read more about his presidency here: https://www.iefimerida.gr/politiki/hristos-sartzetakis-i-epeisodiaki-eklogi-toy-ta-periboita-galazia-psifodeltia-kai-i-psifos
The big news in Thessaloniki is the murder of a young 19-year-old earlier in the week. More about that next time.