Speaking in an unscheduled television address today Greek PM Antonis Samaras said Greece had a duty to finish negotiations with the EU and IMF

Then, shielded economically and politically, we can find a suitable timeframe for national elections even at the end of 2015

The announcement was unexpected and comes just two days ahead of the second round of voting in parliament to elect a new President but on 11 Dec we reported on a similar plea to parliament in a bid to have Dimas elected. It was a disappointing result for the government in the first round last week when it won less support than expected.

If parliament does not elect a president by the third and final round of voting on Dec. 29, a snap general election would have to be held by early February, putting talks on ending Greece’s international bailout programme at risk

Samaras - A last throw of the dice ?

Samaras – A last throw of the dice ?