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live Samaras returned the mandate for forming a government. Tsipras takes the baton

07 May 2012 / 20:05:41  GRReporter
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New Democracy failed to form a coalition government and the liberal leader Antonis Samaras returned to President Carlos Papoulias the mandate for forming a government. He, in turn, will enable the second largest party after the elections (SYRIZA) to try to form a cabinet. It seems that without New Democracy and PASOK, Tsipras will fail to unite 151 seats to form a majority and Greece will head to new elections. This will not be clear before Tuesday evening. Here's what happened on the first day after the early parliamentary elections in crsis-ridden Greece:

3 pm Samaras at the presidency

Antonis Samaras as the leader of the party with the highest number of votes received by President Carlos Papoulias the mandate to form a government. The liberal leader said he would hold a series of meetings with the leaders of the European oriented political parties elected in the new Greek parliament to form a coalition government.

4 pm A short meeting between Samaras and Tsipras

The rift between New Democracy and SYRIZA was confirmed after the meeting between Antonis Samaras and Alexis Tsipras. They reached consensus on only one topic – they cannot establish a coalition government together. Samaras welcomed in his office in the National Assembly on Syntagma Square the leader of the radical left, which is the second political force after the liberals of New Democracy. The result of the first meeting between Samaras and Tsipras does not surprise anyone, since SYRIZA won the second place in the elections with an anti-memorandum campaign. The head of New Democracy continues to seek followers to form a cabinet with an absolute majority of 151 votes.

5 pm Venizelos is ready to help Samaras but wants Tsipras and Kouvelis to "dirty their hands" too

Venizelos met with Samaras and proposed a government of national salvation. It must involve all political forces who want Greece to remain in the European Union and the eurozone. He insisted that the coalition must involve Tsipras’ extreme left and the Democratic Left of Kouvelis. "We are all obliged to contribute towards improving the situation in the country by fulfilling our role." Thus, the former finance minister has thrown the ball to his political opponents from SYRIZA, who were in the role of opposition until yesterday and did not have to make crucial political decisions. Now, they are the second strongest political party in parliament and must assume their responsibility.

6:30 pm Fotis Kouvelis refused the PASOK – New Democracy coalition

Samaras’ last hope of forming a government died with the refusal of Fotis Kouvelis from the Democratic Left to participate in a cabinet involving New Democracy and PASOK. Kouvelis insisted that the new government must ensure both Greece’s getting out of the memorandum of financial aid and keeping the country in the euro zone. "A disguised cooperation between PASOK and New Democracy does not correspond to the choice and preferences of citizens," said Kouvelis, adding that he expects a more concrete proposal from SYRIZA before giving his consent to support a government of left forces.

8:30 pm Samaras returned the mandate for forming a government

 

Tags: PoliticsSamarasTsiprasElections 2012Failure
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