Antonis Samaras: I never asked for a coalition government

In today's message after the first cabinet meeting, ND president Antonis Samaras explained his policy shift and insisted that his positions on the new policy will not change.

"Together we will support Papademos’ transitional government and its work, and we hope it will achieve its mission. I did not want a coalition government, I did not want broader involvement. ND took over two crucial ministries with a key national role and heavy symbolism, those of Defence and Foreign Affairs, and sends the messages that have to be sent. One’s country is a difficult and heavy debt that must be honored."

He mentioned the 4 goals of the initiative he took in the past few days:

    * not to have a referendum
    * to change the PM
    * to form a transitional government that will unblock the 6th tranche and proceed with the loan agreement
    * to lead the country to elections

Samaras said that ND achieved all four goals and added that it paved the way for elections on February 19. "ND has managed to change the PM and the government in the middle of the four-year term, and instead of having another Papandreou government for another two years, we will have elections in three months. Our opinions on the applied policy do not change. The situation led to a deadlock, the economy is sinking, the middle class is dissolving and unemployment is rising."

He concluded by saying that in recent days the country has lost all international credibility and "all together we will restore it rapidly without accepting humiliation and insults neither against our people nor the democratic regime. At the end of this road we will take our destiny into our hands."