Constantine Tassoulas Elected as Greece’s New President

Constantine Tassoulas, a former speaker of parliament and a key advocate for the return of the Parthenon sculptures, has been elected President of Greece, succeeding Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The 65-year-old politician, representing the New Democracy party, secured 160 votes in the fourth round of parliamentary voting in the 300-member legislature. He takes over the largely ceremonial role from Sakellaropoulou, who made history as Greece’s first female president but was not nominated for a second term.

In his victory speech, Tassoulas called his election “a profound honor and an immense responsibility.”

A former culture minister, Tassoulas is widely recognized for his efforts to repatriate the Parthenon sculptures—often referred to as the Elgin Marbles—which were removed from Athens in the 19th century and are housed in the British Museum. His collaboration with lawyer Amal Clooney helped bring global attention to Greece’s demand for their return.

However, his presidency is not without controversy. Many Greeks have protested his election, citing parliament’s slow response in investigating the 2023 rail disaster in Larissa, which killed 57 people. Critics argue that Tassoulas, as parliament speaker at the time, failed to push for a proper inquiry into the country’s deadliest train accident.

The Greek government remains hopeful about negotiating the return of the sculptures, especially amid speculation that the UK’s Labour Party—if elected—may be open to discussions regarding their potential loan or repatriation. Various proposals, including rotating exhibitions between London and Athens, are currently being explored.