Two days before PASOK formally submits its proposals on the new electoral system, President of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis reiterated his objection to any change to the electoral law, which he attributed to an effort being made by PASOK to "cling to authority". ND will lose the elections in 2004 and perhaps those he fears in 2005, responded the government, which accused honorary President of ND Costantinos Mitsotakis of carrying out an instability operation, drawing on his reference to the possibility of the President of the Republic resigning so that early elections are declared. Distances from Mr Mitsotakis, are also being kept by Mr. Karamanlis, who spoke of an "technical ascertainment".