PM: Ex-EU Commissioner Dimas Candidate for Greek President

Former EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas is the Greek government candidate to assume the country's presidency, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Tuesday.

"The best possible candidate for president is Stavros Dimas," Samaras said in a nationally televised address.

Dimas, 73, served in the European Commission from 2004 to 2010. A year later, he briefly served as foreign minister.

The vote by 300 members of parliament to replace President Karolos Papoulias had been due in February but has now been set for a first round on December 17.

The poll is a key test for Samaras, who would be forced to call snap general elections if his presidential candidate fails to garner enough support.

Given the government's slim majority in parliament, a full three voting rounds are likely to be required to elect Dimas.