ATHENS (MNI) – Greece’s conservative party leader Antonis Samaras
received on Monday from the president of the Republic the mandate to
form a coalition government within the next three days.
Samaras’ party, New Democracy, came in first in the parliamentary
elections held Sunday with 19.8%, but still only obtained 108 out of the
300 seats. In order to form a coalition it needs the backing of 151.
The other pro-austerity party, socialist PASOK, suffered a crushing
defeat and gained 13.1% of the votes and 41 seats. A third party is thus
needed to participate, but none of the other five parties that gained
parliamentary seats seem willing to accept.
Earlier, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos submitted his resignation
to President Karolos Papoulias but in accordance with Greek law will
remain on until the new government is formed. The deadline is May 12.
Samaras is expected to meet with PASOK leader and ex-Finance
Minister Evangelos Venizelos this afternoon and will attempt to see the
other party leaders, as he has voiced opposition to holding new
elections. He has three days to find the necessary votes. If he fails,
the mandate will go to the second party, leftist SYRIZA, which will then
have another three days to form a coalition.
Anti-austerity and -bailout SYRIZA will attempt to form a
government of leftist parties, as its party leader, Alexis Tsipras, has
said. If it fails, the mandate will be given to third party PASOK for
another three days. In case of repeated failure, the president of the
republic will call all party leaders together and try to form a
coalition government with members of as many parties as possible.
If the president’s attempt is also unsuccessful, then a “government
of service” will be formed until new elections are held within 30 days.
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