Lucas Papademos ever closer to the position of Prime Minister

Rapid developments are ongoing in the political scene; after 14:15 a brief meeting was completed, which started very late due to the ongoing consultations. Formally, in addition to the waivers requested from his ministers by the PM, Evangelos Venizelos also informed everyone on developments in the Eurogroup.

Statements after the cabinet did not take place, while earlier a meeting or a telephone call between the PM and Lucas Papademos was confirmed; the latter is even closer to the position of Prime Minister.

Mr. Papandreou informed Mr. Papademos on ND’s change of attitude and the consent of said party to strengthen the new government with political figures. The PM departed from his home in Kastri for the House around 11:30am, in order to chair the cabinet meeting.

The scenario about Panagiotis Roumeliotis as PM seems to have collapsed. According to information, the candidacy of Greece’s representative to the IMF, Mr. Panayiotis Roumeliotis, was weakened due to his earlier involvement in the Koskotas scandal, but also because he is thought of as the IMF’s “employee”.

Other scenarios have Mr. Roumeliotis applying for the finance minister position, a spot which includes other potential candidates such as Yiannis Stournaras.  Sources point to a certainty, which is Vasilis Rapanos’ (former National Bank president) placement in an important position.

The important fact of the day is the change in attitude of the New Democracy party, who agreed to staff the new 105- day government with political members. It is possible that the ND members will take over the portfolios of the ministries of Interior, Defense, Citizen Protection, Justice and the position of government spokesman, posts from which Antonis Samaras asked that the current PASOK ministers to step down.