"Giorgos, leave and we will form a coalition government"

A coalition government to renegotiate the Memorandum with elections in the future was requested by chairman of the New Democracy party, Antonis Samaras, during his conversation with prime minister Giorgos Papandreou after the latter’s meeting with the President.

Mr. Samaras requested that Mr. Papandreou step down as Prime Minister and hold elections as soon as possible. Party officials stated that they did not anticipate that Mr. Papandreou would accept Mr. Samaras’ proposal and that the talks they have entered show the impasse that the PM has reached. The important thing is, though, who will renegotiate the Memorandum. Mr. Samaras’ party say that it could not be anyone else but Mr. Samaras, since he proposed the renegotiation.

At noon, the ND staff stated that it will not enter any talks with Mr. Papandreou and that it was never certain that Mr. Samaras would agree to meet with Mr. Papandreou. Their attitude changed after the call and with Mr. Papandreou accepting Mr. Samaras’ position. If Mr. Papandreou agrees to the solution proposed by Mr. Samaras, then the government will aim to renegotiate ND’s proposal. Samaras’ party would prefer if Mr. Papandreou assumed responsibility for his failures and declared a general election. He proceeded to tell the Prime Minister that the government which will emerge from the elections will be made up by persons of general consensus. The next conversation between the two leaders is expected within the day, as well as the PM’s announcements.

During the telephone conversation between the two men, Mr. Papandreou stated that “this situation cannot continue. I am being pressured both abroad and within; we will all have to assume our responsibilities, and I will assume mine through a coalition government”. Mr. Samaras stated that “You have lost the peoples’ trust. This cannot happen with you at the helm as Prime Minister”. Mr. Papandreou on the other hand, responded “I am willing to step down”. Both agreed that they need to proceed quickly with institutional changes and the revision of the Constitution.