Greek Opposition Unwilling To Participate In Coalition Government

Antonis Samaras, leader of Greek main opposition New Democracy party, refused to discuss Prime Minister George Papandreou’s proposal to form a coalition government and demanded to conduct the elections.

Papandreou, whose four-year term formally expires in 2013, survived a confidence vote earlier on Saturday and promised consultations on a coalition government to ratify a crucial 130-billion euro bailout deal for the indebted euro zone country.

“We call for a return to normality: Elections, so as to stabilize the country, restore its image and lead ourselves out of this nightmare as soon as possible,” Samaras said.

All other parliamentary groups also declined to negotiate a coalition government at the moment.

Earlier Papandreou has rejected opposition demands for the immediate elections and said in the current financially unhealthy situation it would only aggravate the crisis.