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World

Greek parliament votes in crucial presidential election that could trigger gov't collapse

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras attends the first round of voting to elect a new Greek president at the Parliament in Athens, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. Parliament has failed to elect a new Greek president in the first round of voting, leaving another two tries before the government falls and early elections have to be called. The conservative-led government's candidate, former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas, received 160 votes Wednesday, far short of the 200 needed for an outright win. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 2 of 3

    Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, foreground, attends with his ministers the first round of voting to elect a new Greek president at the Parliament in Athens, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. Parliament has failed to elect a new Greek president in the first round of voting, leaving another two tries before the government falls and early elections have to be called. The conservative-led government's candidate, former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas, received 160 votes Wednesday, far short of the 200 needed for an outright win. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

  • 67fd7eb4-
    Image 3 of 3

    Greece's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, foreground, attends with his ministers the first round of voting to elect a new Greek president at the Parliament in Athens, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. Parliament has failed to elect a new Greek president in the first round of voting, leaving another two tries before the government falls and early elections have to be called. The conservative-led government's candidate, former European Commissioner Stavros Dimas, received 160 votes Wednesday, far short of the 200 needed for an outright win. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

ATHENS, Greece – Greece's lawmakers are to cast ballots in the first round of a crucial presidential election that could see the government collapse if its nominee does not garner enough votes.

The vote comes amid stalled negotiations between bailed-out Greece and its international creditors.

Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is backing former European Union commission Stavros Dimas for the presidency.

Dimas is the only candidate, but to win he needs support from at least 25 independent or opposition lawmakers to avoid a snap general election. So far, fewer than 10 have declared their support.

If Dimas falls short on Wednesday, a second round is scheduled for Dec. 23 and a third on Dec. 29, when 180 votes are needed.

If the third round fails, Parliament would be dissolved and early elections called.