Greek Citizen Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis resigned on Monday to enter the ruling socialist PASOK party's leadership race, according to an official announcement.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, Papoutsis tendered his resignation from the cabinet to run as a candidate for the presidency of PASOK, said a press release by the Ministry of Citizen Protection, which is responsible for police and the coast guard.

Papademos is expected to name Papoutsis' replacement in the coming days, local media reported.

The ruling party is expected to elect a new leader on March 18. Papandreou quit the premiership four months ago to make way for the formation of the transitional administration and this year paved the way for the change in leadership of PASOK.

Papoutsis is the second party heavyweight to announce his intention to seek the leadership after Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping minister Michalis Chryssohoidis. Current Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos is also expected to run for the party's presidency.

In a series of recent surveys, PASOK which had won the October 2009 general elections with a large parliamentary majority, now ranks fifth with some 8 percent of votes.

Greek general elections are expected to take place in April, after an agreement is made with private sector creditors to writedown a third of the state debt and to release funds from a second bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

According to local political analysts, the conservative New Democracy party will win the elections, but without parliamentary majority. They will most probably form a coalition government with PASOK or other parties.