The Greek government's bid to secure election for a new president faltered in parliament on Wednesday after Prime Minister Antonis Samaras failed to gather enough support for his candidate, Stavros Dimas, state television reported. Only 160 lawmakers in the country's 300-seat chamber voted for Dimas, meaning that the candidate fell short of the 200 votes required for his election as president. There were 135 abstentions. As a result of Wednesday's outcome, there will be a second vote on December 23. If Samaras fails at that point, a third vote will take place on December 29, at which point the threshold will be lowered from two-thirds of the chamber to 180 votes. If Samaras fails at the third hurdle, the parliament will be dissolved and new elections called.
