The official inauguration of the new President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, took place on Thursday morning at the Hellenic Parliament Building.
The President-elect arrived at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where he was welcomed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the new Speaker of the Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis. Armed Forces formations were lined up at the site, which the new President of the Republic inspected.
Konstantinos Tasoulas swore an oath to the Greek Constitution and subsequently, the oath-taking protocol was signed in triplicate by himself, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and the Archbishop.
After the ceremony, the new President of the Republic shook hands with political leaders and members of the Government. He exchanged greetings with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Greece, Dimitris Koutsoubas, the President of SYRIZA, Socrates Famellos, the President of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis, as well as with members of parliament who were in the front seats.
The moment of the swearing-in was marked by the unanimous cry of "Worthy" from the House, while the absence of applause from the opposition MPs was notable. It should be noted that both the Greek Solution and the Freedom Cruise were absent from the ceremony.
“A great demand has already been made. On the occasion of the Tempi tragedy, the great demand for justice for a modern state is being expressed. And when a great demand is expressed by society, the turn of the great response must come. […] National unanimity is not a wish list but an inviolable condition for the achievement of great goals. I am called: to defend the observance of the Constitution. To defend the national integrity and the interests of the Greek people. I will make every possible effort as President of all Greeks,” stressed Mr. Tasoulas during the handover ceremony and congratulated Ms. Sakellaropoulou for her work during her term.
"I wholeheartedly wish you every success in your duties. Your previous term as President of the Parliament and your political career as a politician who serves the values of the nation are a guarantee of success. You are taking office in an era of successive crises. The unifying and symbolic role of the President, the commitment to the Constitution and the laws, and the contact with society strengthen the regime. I am certain that you will move in this direction and I will be at your disposal," the former President emphasized for her part.
Source: KYPE
