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Greek politicians in talks over PM and unity government Greek politicians in talks over PM and unity government
(about 2 hours later)
  
Greek political leaders have resumed talks on appointing a new PM and coalition government to clear the way for a bailout package which would ease the country's eurozone debt crisis.Greek political leaders have resumed talks on appointing a new PM and coalition government to clear the way for a bailout package which would ease the country's eurozone debt crisis.
The socialist government and opposition conservatives held fresh talks over the phone to agree the composition of the new 15-week unity government.The socialist government and opposition conservatives held fresh talks over the phone to agree the composition of the new 15-week unity government.
The talks come after Prime Minister George Papandreou agreed to stand down after days of upheaval caused by his decision - now revoked - to hold a referendum on the EU bailout plan.The talks come after Prime Minister George Papandreou agreed to stand down after days of upheaval caused by his decision - now revoked - to hold a referendum on the EU bailout plan.
The names of Lukas Papademos, a former deputy president of the European Central Bank, and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos have been floated as potential candidates to be prime minister.The names of Lukas Papademos, a former deputy president of the European Central Bank, and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos have been floated as potential candidates to be prime minister.
Once the government is established it can then begin work on ratifying the new European financial rescue package, which must be in place for Greece to receive more bailout money.Once the government is established it can then begin work on ratifying the new European financial rescue package, which must be in place for Greece to receive more bailout money.
The coalition is due to lead the country until elections, which could be held on 19 February.The coalition is due to lead the country until elections, which could be held on 19 February.
Merkel 'respects' decisionMerkel 'respects' decision
President Karolos Papoulias announced the agreement on creating a unity government after hosting talks between Mr Papandreou and main opposition leader, Antonis Samaras.President Karolos Papoulias announced the agreement on creating a unity government after hosting talks between Mr Papandreou and main opposition leader, Antonis Samaras.
Mr Papandreou will stand down when the new government takes over.Mr Papandreou will stand down when the new government takes over.
Greece is beginning a new political era - the imminent end of George Papandreou's premiership and the start of a new coalition government. Mr Papandreou has been prime minister of this country since 2009, he was the third member of his family to be in charge. It is the end of a long political dynasty as Greece waits to hear who will take charge of a country mired in perhaps the deepest crisis in its history.Greece is beginning a new political era - the imminent end of George Papandreou's premiership and the start of a new coalition government. Mr Papandreou has been prime minister of this country since 2009, he was the third member of his family to be in charge. It is the end of a long political dynasty as Greece waits to hear who will take charge of a country mired in perhaps the deepest crisis in its history.
The frontrunner to take over from George Papandreou is Lucas Papademos, the former governor of the National Bank of Greece and a former deputy at the European Central Bank. While he was at the national bank he negotiated Greece's transition from the drachma to the euro - he will be hoping that if he does take over that that will be a one-way street, that he will not face an inglorious exit of Greece from the eurozone.The frontrunner to take over from George Papandreou is Lucas Papademos, the former governor of the National Bank of Greece and a former deputy at the European Central Bank. While he was at the national bank he negotiated Greece's transition from the drachma to the euro - he will be hoping that if he does take over that that will be a one-way street, that he will not face an inglorious exit of Greece from the eurozone.
But the rest of Europe and ordinary Greeks are watching and waiting, hoping that this country can be steered towards calmer waters. Greeks are angry and exhausted with the austerity measures, they crave stability and an end to this political turmoil.But the rest of Europe and ordinary Greeks are watching and waiting, hoping that this country can be steered towards calmer waters. Greeks are angry and exhausted with the austerity measures, they crave stability and an end to this political turmoil.
He and Mr Samaras have already had their first phone call on Monday to discuss the details of the deal, according to Greek media.He and Mr Samaras have already had their first phone call on Monday to discuss the details of the deal, according to Greek media.
Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos is set to brief eurozone finance ministers on progress later on Monday when the ministers meet in Brussels. Also on Monday, Mr Venizelos met the EU's Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels, Reuters reports.
His office said he had had "a positive and productive discussion" with Mr Rehn, which focused on procedures for releasing the next tranche of the EU loan and negotiations over the rescue package.
Mr Venizelos will also attend the meeting of eurozone finance ministers later on Monday to brief them on Greek progress.
That ministerial meeting has added to the pressure on Greece to find an early solution to the political deadlock.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her "respect" for Mr Papandreou's decision to step down, during a phone call on Monday, a spokesman said.Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her "respect" for Mr Papandreou's decision to step down, during a phone call on Monday, a spokesman said.
Greece's new political roadmap envisages elections being held once the government has approved an EU bailout package.Greece's new political roadmap envisages elections being held once the government has approved an EU bailout package.
Mr Papandreou had been trying to build a national unity government to replace his Pasok party administration, but Mr Samaras, of the New Democracy party, had been refusing to negotiate unless his rival resigned first. Mr Papandreou had been trying to build a national unity government to replace his Pasok party administration, but Mr Samaras, of the New Democracy party, had been refusing to negotiate unless his rival resigns.
The two men also disagreed sharply on the timing of new elections, with Mr Papandreou seeking a delay of several months while Mr Samaras wanted them immediately.The two men also disagreed sharply on the timing of new elections, with Mr Papandreou seeking a delay of several months while Mr Samaras wanted them immediately.
A Greek government spokesman said a new administration would be sworn in and a confidence vote held within a week if all went well.A Greek government spokesman said a new administration would be sworn in and a confidence vote held within a week if all went well.
At a late-night meeting on Sunday, Mr Venizelos met opposition members and agreed that 19 February would be the most suitable date for elections, according to a finance ministry statements.At a late-night meeting on Sunday, Mr Venizelos met opposition members and agreed that 19 February would be the most suitable date for elections, according to a finance ministry statements.
However, few other details have emerged, such as how quickly the bailout deal might be approved.However, few other details have emerged, such as how quickly the bailout deal might be approved.
Political crisisPolitical crisis
Mr Papandreou narrowly won a confidence vote on Friday, but had been under continuing pressure to resign amid chaos over the debt crisis.Mr Papandreou narrowly won a confidence vote on Friday, but had been under continuing pressure to resign amid chaos over the debt crisis.
The fresh bailout deal was agreed by the European Union last month, but Mr Papandreou faced the wrath of fellow EU leaders when he announced that he would put the deal to the people of Greece in a referendum.The fresh bailout deal was agreed by the European Union last month, but Mr Papandreou faced the wrath of fellow EU leaders when he announced that he would put the deal to the people of Greece in a referendum.
The idea was dropped days later, but not without sparking a deeper financial crisis and triggering the political crisis which led to the confidence vote.The idea was dropped days later, but not without sparking a deeper financial crisis and triggering the political crisis which led to the confidence vote.
The EU says no more funds will be released to Greece until the new bailout deal has been approved.The EU says no more funds will be released to Greece until the new bailout deal has been approved.
It gives the government 130bn euros (£111bn; $178bn) and imposes a 50% write-off on private holders of Greek debts, in return for deeply unpopular austerity measures.It gives the government 130bn euros (£111bn; $178bn) and imposes a 50% write-off on private holders of Greek debts, in return for deeply unpopular austerity measures.
The country has come under huge international pressure to resolve its political crisis, in order to calm the markets.The country has come under huge international pressure to resolve its political crisis, in order to calm the markets.
The possibility of Greece leaving the euro has also been raised by EU leaders, if it fails to resolve its political and financial problems.The possibility of Greece leaving the euro has also been raised by EU leaders, if it fails to resolve its political and financial problems.
A meeting of EU finance ministers is taking place on Monday, which added to the pressure on Greece to find an early solution to the political deadlock.
There are fears that the crisis could spread to bigger eurozone countries like Italy.There are fears that the crisis could spread to bigger eurozone countries like Italy.