Giorgos' two choices concerning Antonis

The political field tactics and how to pass a hard medium-term stability Greek economy plan, as well as a potential Memorandum 2, are being considered by PM George Papandreou.

According to information, Mr. Papandreou has received two suggestions:

- One argues that since there is no room for consensus with Antonis Samaras, he should adopt a tough stance against the New Democracy party, taking advantage of Dora Bakoyannis’ and George Karatzaferis’ positive attitude.

According to this logic, he should strive for the passing of the medium-term plan by Parliament with 151 votes and subject to the LAOS and Democratic Alliance positive votes, in order to achieve strong approval beyond PASOK’s boundaries.

- The second suggestion argues that he should pressure Antonis Samaras and request his vote through the adoption of several of the latter's opinions on economic policies in order to achieve a majority of 180 parliamentary votes.

Proponents of this view believe that Mr. Samaras will be pressured by the Troika and will not be able to overcome the inexorable dilemmas about to decide the country’s fate.

The existence of both suggestions is confirmed by the fact that the government displayed an ambivalent attitude toward Mr. Samaras’ speech in Zappeion, criticizing the substance of his proposal but also noting that much of what has been said has already been adopted or applied by the government, while spokesman George Petalotis also emphasized the impotance of consensus and national solidarity.

Mr. Samaras’ rhetoric insists on rejecting any consensus, but this is interpreted as a necessary addition so that if the government adopts his proposals, he can state that he is in support of the program that ensures a steady loan provided to the country.