"My anxiety concerns the release of the sixth tranche and going to elections"

"ND will not become a part of the problem," Samaras said, adding that the Opposition party is deeply committed to the Constitution. "The initiative rests with the governing majority," he said, calling on George Papandreou to take initiatives to assign a prime minister of broad consensus.

The ND leader also stressed: "My problem is not the persons. It is finally to unblock the sixth tranche, the loan agreement and give a government to this country particularly at this time of international crunches and turbulence in the international markets, in order to achieve what is desired for Greeks, including us, which is elections where the Greek people, the only ones entitled to speak, will finally be able to do so."

After leaving the presidential palace, Samaras had a brief chat with reporters and said that "I have no problem with the persons. I will go to the meeting tomorrow, open to any offer." He added that "I will not get involved in the internal affairs of PASOK". As to the incident at the presidential palace, he said that while he was in the hall talking with Papandreou, the president’s secretary informed them that Karatzaferis had left. A journalist intervened and told Samaras that he announced it two hours ago on Tele Asty station. Samaras said that "it was expected".