On Wednesday, Greece’s parliament elected its former speaker, Constantine Tassoulas, as the country’s president, endorsing the conservative government’s choice for the largely symbolic position.

However, the decision sparked outrage among protesters who had gathered outside parliament last month, demanding accountability for a deadly train crash in 2023. They argue that during Tassoulas’ tenure as parliamentary speaker, lawmakers did not investigate potential political responsibility for Greece’s worst rail disaster.

Two years on, the judicial investigation remains ongoing. Under Greek law, only Parliament has the authority to investigate politicians.

Tassoulas is 66. He is a lawyer and father of two, has served as a lawmaker since 2000 and previously held roles as Greece’s culture minister and deputy defence minister. In Wednesday’s vote, he secured the support of 160 lawmakers in the 300-member Parliament.

He will take over from Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Greece’s first female president when her five-year term concludes in March.

Last month, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he selected Tassoulas due to his extensive political experience, broad support, and “unifying spirit.”

Political analysts believe that nominating Tassoulas is a strategic move to reinforce Mitsotakis’ hold on power. Despite having a narrow majority of 156 seats in parliament, his conservative New Democracy party faces increasing pressure, as opinion polls indicate.

Meanwhile, centre-left and leftist opposition parties had put forward alternative candidates and chose not to support Tassoulas’ nomination on Wednesday.

Greece's parliament's failure to elect a president in the past could result in a snap election. However, following a reform introduced after the country's decade-long financial crisis, the election process allows up to five voting rounds. With each round, the required threshold gradually decreases, until the numbers reach a majority.

Tassoulas is set to take office as the head of state on March 13.