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Antonis Samaras offers 'hope' as new Greece prime minister | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Antonis Samaras has vowed to "give hope" to the Greek people, moments after being sworn in as prime minister. | |
His party, New Democracy, has forged a coalition with the Socialists (Pasok) and the smaller Democratic Left. | |
The deal ends weeks of uncertainty in Greece. An inconclusive election on 6 May raised fears Greece could leave the eurozone and trigger a wider crisis. | |
But the new coalition is expected to face immediate pressure from an austerity-weary Greek public. | |
They have endured five years of recession and are increasingly resistant to the tough terms of Greece's huge bailout from the EU and International Monetary Fund (IMF). | |
Syriza - the leftist party that came second in Sunday's poll and strongly opposes the austerity measures - will be a defiant voice of opposition, correspondents say. | |
Greek stocks rose moderately in response to the news that a coalition had been formed, with Athens shares closing up 0.5%. | |
'Burden of responsibility' | 'Burden of responsibility' |
Mr Samaras became Greece's fourth prime minister in eight months at a brief ceremony at the presidential palace in Athens, presided over by the archbishop of Greece and chanting Orthodox Greek clergy. | |
In his first public words following his swearing in, he asked the Greek people for "patriotism and strong national unity and trust, [so] that with the help of God, we'll do whatever we can for the people to come out of this crisis". | |
The 61-year-old said he would demand "hard work" from the new government "so that it will be able to give hope to our people". | |
The three coalition party leaders are due to meet outgoing Finance Minister Giorgos Zanias and the man tipped to be his successor, National Bank chairman Vassilis Rapanos, on Wednesday evening. | The three coalition party leaders are due to meet outgoing Finance Minister Giorgos Zanias and the man tipped to be his successor, National Bank chairman Vassilis Rapanos, on Wednesday evening. |
More detail on the cabinet make-up is also expected to emerge before Thursday, when Mr Zanias will represent the new government at a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Luxembourg. | |
Earlier, announcing the coalition deal, Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos said the three parties in the new coalition had "taken on the burden of responsibility to renegotiate the bailout agreement and [the job] of exiting Greece from the crisis". | Earlier, announcing the coalition deal, Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos said the three parties in the new coalition had "taken on the burden of responsibility to renegotiate the bailout agreement and [the job] of exiting Greece from the crisis". |
Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis said he expected the cabinet to "release the country from the painful terms" of the bailout, reported AFP news agency. | Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis said he expected the cabinet to "release the country from the painful terms" of the bailout, reported AFP news agency. |
'Limited room' | |
The BBC's Andrew Walker in Brussels says European leaders will be relieved that there is now a Greek government to negotiate with, but concern about what they will be asking for. | The BBC's Andrew Walker in Brussels says European leaders will be relieved that there is now a Greek government to negotiate with, but concern about what they will be asking for. |
European leaders have indicated that there is limited room for manoeuvre on the bailout. | European leaders have indicated that there is limited room for manoeuvre on the bailout. |
Greece has seen many street demonstrations - sometimes violent - by people angered by the job losses, pay cuts and reduced welfare resulting from the bailout. | Greece has seen many street demonstrations - sometimes violent - by people angered by the job losses, pay cuts and reduced welfare resulting from the bailout. |
The country got an initial EU-IMF package worth 110bn euros (£89bn; $138bn) in 2010, then a follow-up this year worth 130bn euros. | The country got an initial EU-IMF package worth 110bn euros (£89bn; $138bn) in 2010, then a follow-up this year worth 130bn euros. |
It has also had 107bn euros (£86bn; $135bn) of debt, held by private investors, written off. | It has also had 107bn euros (£86bn; $135bn) of debt, held by private investors, written off. |
New Democracy won 129 seats in Greece's 300-seat parliament on Sunday, followed by Syriza with 71, Pasok with 33 and the Democratic Left with 17. | New Democracy won 129 seats in Greece's 300-seat parliament on Sunday, followed by Syriza with 71, Pasok with 33 and the Democratic Left with 17. |
Between them, New Democracy, Pasok and Democratic Left would have a majority of 29. | Between them, New Democracy, Pasok and Democratic Left would have a majority of 29. |