The inauguration ceremony of Konstantinos Tasoulas as the 9th President of the Hellenic Republic was completed in a grand event held at the Greek Parliament on Thursday, March 13. The new president was sworn in by Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other political leaders of the country.
Tasoulas took the oath, placing his hand on the Holy Gospel, affirming: “I swear in the name of the Holy, Consubstantial, and Indivisible Trinity to uphold the Constitution and the laws, to ensure their faithful observance, to defend the national independence and territorial integrity of the country, to protect the rights and freedoms of the Greeks, and to serve the general interest and the progress of the Greek people.”
The new President was welcomed at the entrance of the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb by Prime Minister Mitsotakis and the President of the Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis. At the memorial, military units of the Armed Forces were assembled for inspection by the President.
Following the doxology, Archbishop Ieronymos wished the newly sworn-in president, “Long life.”
Members of the New Democracy (ND) party cheered, “Worthy!”
After the ceremony, President Tasoulas laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He then proceeded to the Presidential Palace on Herodou Attikou Street, where he was welcomed by outgoing President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, for the handover ceremony.
Greek Solution (Elliniki Lysi) and Course of Freedom (Plefsi Eleftherias) Boycott Tasoulas’ Inauguration
In a statement, the Greek Solution announced: “The Greek Solution will not participate in the swearing-in of the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, who has been denounced by the relatives of the victims of the Tempi tragedy.”
Similarly, Course of Freedom issued the following statement: “Course of Freedom is abstaining from today’s inauguration ceremony of Tasoulas as President of the Republic. We will not participate in a ceremony that does not reflect, but rather contradicts, the sense of justice felt by society, which has overwhelmingly protested against the cover-up and impunity. We do not legitimize Tasoulas’ appointment by Mitsotakis. We continue to fight alongside society for Justice, Transparency, Meritocracy, and Democracy.”
