Tsipras formally resigns, requesting snap general elections

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (L) leaves the presidential palace after meeting President Prokopis Pavlopoulos in Athens, Greece, August 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Meimarakis accused Tsipras of seeking elections to tackle the rebellion to the bailout within his Radical Left SYRIZA party.

In the vote in parliament last Friday to ratify the deal more than 40 SYRIZA MPs in the 149-member strong parliamentary party group voted against party line.

As dissenters have announced their intention to form a new anti-bailout political movement soon, according to political analysts in Athens, Tsipras opted for the snap polls in a bid to clear the picture and strengthen his hold on power in order to implement the bailout.

Under the Greek Constitution should a government resign, the President should hand an exploratory mandate to each of the leaders of the three largest parties represented in parliament to try to form a government from the current parliament.

Tsipras stated during his meeting with Pavlopoulos that he will not use the mandate and asked instead the President to initiate procedures for the immediate formation of a caretaker government led by the head of the Supreme Court to take the country to elections.

Under the Constitution each mandate lasts three days. Meimarakis said on Thursday evening that he intends to make full use of his mandate and try to form a unity government.

If he fails to do so within three days, under the Constitution the mandate passes over to the third largest party elected in parliament which today is the far- Right Golden Dawn.

If all efforts end fruitless, the President calls early elections which must be conducted within a month.

The process of the exploratory mandates could be avoided with the agreement of political leaders and a caretaker government be appointed within hours.

Pavlopoulos reassured Tsipras that he will exercise his duties according to the Constitution to ensure that the country will meet its commitments under the recent deal and there will be no risk for its course in the European Union.