Greek PM calls for unity to save nation
The morning after the night before.
Embattled Greek prime minister George Papandreou heads for a meeting with President Karolas Papoulias after narrowly surviving the night's vote of confidence.
During the hour long meeting, Papandreou told the president that the country had to avoid early elections, and instead needed to forge a political consensus.
He said he would do 'whatever was necessary' to secure a unity government that could ink a 130-billion euro bailout deal - the nation's last financial lifeline.
Without the bailout, Greece will run out of money by December.
Despite narrowly surviving the confidence vote, Papandreou's proposals inspire little optimism on the streets of Athens.
(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) MAN IN THE STREET, CONSTANTINOS ERANIS, SAYING:
"A coalition government needs to share the same values. At this point, where they don't agree on anything, nothing can be done. What was needed right now were elections, a clear mandate, no help from here and there, so that the government can go forward with a new mandate, supported by the people."
. (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) WOMAN IN THE STREET, RULA ROUSSOU, SAYING:
"I believe this entire political system needs to go. All of them. Not just 300, 3,000 politicians need to go. They are all rotten."
Papandreou's socialist government won the vote of confidence with 153 votes in the 300 member parliament.
A rebellion by some dissidents in his party failed to materialize after he indicated he would step down if necessary.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
Embattled Greek prime minister George Papandreou heads for a meeting with President Karolas Papoulias after narrowly surviving the night's vote of confidence.
During the hour long meeting, Papandreou told the president that the country had to avoid early elections, and instead needed to forge a political consensus.
He said he would do 'whatever was necessary' to secure a unity government that could ink a 130-billion euro bailout deal - the nation's last financial lifeline.
Without the bailout, Greece will run out of money by December.
Despite narrowly surviving the confidence vote, Papandreou's proposals inspire little optimism on the streets of Athens.
(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) MAN IN THE STREET, CONSTANTINOS ERANIS, SAYING:
"A coalition government needs to share the same values. At this point, where they don't agree on anything, nothing can be done. What was needed right now were elections, a clear mandate, no help from here and there, so that the government can go forward with a new mandate, supported by the people."
. (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) WOMAN IN THE STREET, RULA ROUSSOU, SAYING:
"I believe this entire political system needs to go. All of them. Not just 300, 3,000 politicians need to go. They are all rotten."
Papandreou's socialist government won the vote of confidence with 153 votes in the 300 member parliament.
A rebellion by some dissidents in his party failed to materialize after he indicated he would step down if necessary.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
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