Greek main opposition leader rejects Papandreou's coalition proposal

Greek main opposition leader rejects Papandreou's coalition proposal

Greek main opposition leader Antonis Samaras rejected on Saturday afternoon Prime Minister George Papandreou's proposal for a national unity government, reiterating his demand for Papandreou's resignation and immediate holding of general elections.

In a televised speech, Samaras accused Papandreou that he planned "to tie everybody to his personal choices" instead of stepping aside.

In a clear message to Greece's European partners, Samaras stressed that his New Democracy party fully accepts the Oct. 26 European Union (EU) new bailout agreement, the targets to overcome the debt crisis and fully supports structural reforms.

But the party does not agree with certain financial policies and austerity measures "that have failed in the past and need to be reconsidered."

Earlier on Saturday Papandreou visited President Karolos Papoulias and informed his intention to launch a bid to form a national unity coalition to implement the Oct. 26 EU pact to tackle the Greek debt crisis.

English.news.cn   2011-11-05 23:01:07 FeedbackPrintRSS
ATHENS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua)