Galery

1

Tomorrow New Democracy leader Andonis Samaras will have a meeting with President Karolos Papoulias. The information about the meeting came shortly after the statements made in the party’s offices.

Although he called for "immediate elections and clear order governance by the people", the leader of the "blue" reiterated that the party's proposal to resolve the political crisis of recent days is still valid. It was made two days ago and it contains: a transitional government with clearly defined mandate and competencies, ratification of the new contract for a loan to the current Parliament, receiving of the sixth tranche and, immediately after that, elections.

Antonis Samaras accused George Papandreou that with his initiative for a referendum a few days earlier he had caused great commotion in Europe, deepened the crisis in Greece, polarized people up to a very dangerous level and blocked the sixth tranche of financial assistance to the country.

The leader of New Democracy condemned the Prime Minister for not resigning, although last night he said he was "not tied to any chair." While reading his speech, Antonis Samaras was amid the two Vice-Presidents of New Democracy, Dimitris Avramopoulos and Stavros Dimas, a former European Commissioner. A moment earlier it had become clear that it it precisely his name that is being prepared for the post of temporary Prime Minister. According to some commentators Antonis Samaras’ statement is "a ray of hope for agreement," and tomorrow's meeting with Karolos Papoulias has been taken as confirmation of this.

Meanwhile, the European People's Party, of which New Democracy is a member, sharply criticized Antonis Samaras for his position to form a transitional government. German lawmaker from the Christian Democrat Party, Elmar Brok, who is coordinator for Foreign Affairs of the European People's Party, defined the behaviour of the New Democracy leader as "irresponsible" and added that by Monday Antonis Samaras will have to express his support for a transitional government in Greece.

The Sunday issue of Real news newspaper describes a completely different scenario about tomorrow. The headline on the first page of the newspaper is: "Benny (Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos) – the new Prime Minister." According to the publication this is the most likely scenario for tomorrow in Greece, especially if New Democracy insists on their refusal to participate in the coalition government. The paper argues that in this case George Papandreou will remain only a head of PASOK. "The last minute pressure on Antonis Samaras to agree to participate in the coalition government, is stronger in Greece and abroad," notes the main article.