Galery

1

"The new contract for the loan to Greece will not be put to a referendum if consensus between PASOK and New Democracy were reached," told Reuters a source from the Greek government. Shortly after, it became clear that George Papandreou and Antonis Samaras would speak over the telephone. The conversation took place but its content is not announced publicly.

During the Council of Ministers, George Papandreou welcomed the New Democracy decision to vote 'yes' for new loan. He expressed his intention to discuss the proposal of the leader of New Democracy to form a provisional government in favour of national interests.

"First, we must welcome the fact that New Democracy would vote in favour of a new loan agreement," said the Greek prime minister. He described this development as a great achievement and a historic moment in which the Greek parties are able to reach a consensus on matters of great importance.

"We had a dilemma: either real consent or a referendum. If there were consensus, we would not need a referendum," said George Papandreou, adding that he had said the same to European leaders in Cannes. "I told them: "If the opposition comes to the table and agrees on the loan, the referendum will not be necessary" and that elections would be a third possible, but harmful option."

As for the proposal of Antonis Samaras to form a provisional government and to hold elections, the prime minister said that this issue should be discussed. "This is not an issue that we must accept or reject unconditionally, because these are common and conflicting talks." George Papandreou again expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the discussion about the referendum, which "is not an end in itself", the contract for the loan, etc. "has brought many people in a logical line."

"Consent on our part will imply the necessary seriousness and it will be based on national interests. We need to continue with the implementation of a good program for Greece with the greatest possible consensus. The issue is political, not procedural," said the Greek prime minister. Then he announced that he had authorized Dimitris Repas and Nikos Athanasakis to begin negotiations with their colleagues from New Democracy.

"This is a historic moment, after which the parties will be able to agree on some issues of great importance and we will have no disagreements. It remains to be seen what this means for us. But I think we are all dedicated to the service of our country ", concluded George Papandreou.

During his speech, he expressed surprise at the reactions of the European partners of Greece regarding the proposal to call a referendum. "I do not understand why they were so surprised ... I was surprised namely by the fact that they were surprised," said the Greek prime minister, adding, "Long before, we ourselves had indicated that what is threatened is our membership in the eurozone. The question was not placed by us. It was placed on the agenda by the events themselves and those who do not understand us and when we said it, they called us "blackmailers." They said that we were putting non-existent dilemmas."

According to George Papandreou, yesterday "just confirmed our allegations. Now, all the decisions of October 26 are at stake as well as all the decisions we have taken to the moment when in 2009our country has gone to one extreme to another with the huge deficits and debt."