Greece's future in the euro remained in serious doubt last night, as the government narrowly survived a confidence vote with no sign of the consensus the EU has demanded in return for a proposed rescue package.
It was a pyrrhic victory for George Papandreou, the Greek Prime Minister, who had earlier in the week announced a euro referendum which he was later forced to abandon. Last night he had to promise parliament that he will begin talks immediately to form a power-sharing government and appoint his successor.
"The last thing I care about is my post," Mr Papandreou told parliament last night. "I don't care even if I am not re-elected." He gave his backing to the Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, as interim prime minister, but could still remain in office if a broader unity deal cannot be forged.
The feverish political horsetrading in Athens failed to deliver the consensus that EU leaders have demanded in order to go ahead with loans that Greece needs to avoid a default that would threaten the broader eurozone. A bitter stalemate over the terms of a unity government took hold – and the EU has made it clear that the bailout offer cannot wait for Greece to resolve its political crisis in fresh elections.
"The masks have fallen," warned opposition leader, Antonis Samaras. "Mr Papandreou has rejected our proposals in their entirety... The only solution is elections."
More: Bailout deal thrown into new chaos after Greek PM wins vote - Europe - World - The Independent
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