CANNES, France (MNI) – The Greek people are “wise” and will vote in
a referendum on December 4 to remain in the Eurozone, Greece’s Prime
Minister George Papandreou predicted late Wednesday night.

His comments came shortly after the news, which he confirmed, that
the referendum he had called on Monday — originally to seek popular
approval for last week’s EU summit bailout agreement — would now ask
the much bigger question of whether Greece wanted to continue using the
euro.

“It is not a moment to give you the exact wording of the
referendum, but the essence is that this is not a question of the [new
bailout] program but also of whether we want to remain in the Eurozone,”
Papandreou said. “This is clear to everyone.”

He added: “I believe it will be a positive outcome, as Greeks want
to stay in the Eurozone.”

Before the referendum can actually take place, it must be approved
by the country’s Parliament, where Papandreou’s ruling Socialist party
holds a tenuous and possibly still-shrinking majority of just two seats.
His government will face a confidence vote on Friday night, after two
days of debate that began today.

Asked whether he thought he would win the vote Friday, Papandreou
replied, “I hope so, but obviously it is a democratic vote.” Indeed,
with other Socialist MPs threatening to defect and several calling for
his resignation, it is conceivable Papandreou could lose on Friday,
which would lead to an early election and render the referendum moot.

Papandreou said his decision to call for a referendum was based on
his belief that, “we need to have a wide consensus because the program
we are facing is difficult in its implementation. But I believe the
Greek people want us to be a strong partner in the Eurozone and in the
EU, and this is what is at stake.”

He noted that he was unable to find a broad consensus among the
political parties in Greece. “If there was a consensus we wouldn’t need
a referendum. But I do believe there is a wider consensus among the
Greek people. I do believe they will speak soon.”

–Angelika Papamiltiadou, a_papamiltiadou@hotmail.com

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