Wavering Independent Greeks MP may back coalition’s vote for president

Just a day after Independent Greeks MPs agreed to back party leader Panos Kammenos and not vote for any presidential candidate the coalition puts forward in February, lawmaker Panayiotis Melas appeared unsure about his stance on Wednesday.

“If a president is not elected and we go to national elections, this would be a drag on the economy,” said Melas. “This is why you have to be careful what you do. It is in the people’s best interests for the elections to happen as late as possible.”

The Independent Greeks deputy added that he would definitely vote in favor of former Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis as a presidential candidate.

In a statement, Kammenos said that the parliamentary committee had taken a unanimous decision a day earlier and he said that any MP straying from this line would be “beheaded,” suggesting that Melas may be ousted from the party if he takes a different stance.