Papandreou and Samaras meet for unity gov’t talks
Prime Minister George Papandreou and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras arrived at the Presidential Mansion at 8.30 p.m. for talks with President Karolos Papoulias aimed at creating a unity government.
Earlier, Papandreou had briefed his Cabinet, reportedly informing his ministers that he was set to step down to allow someone else to head the coalition government. There were unconfirmed reports that former European Central Bank vice president Lucas Papademos was on his way to Athens to take up the post if the two leaders reach agreement.
Samaras made it clear in an earlier meeting with Papoulias that Papandreou would have to step down if there was any hope of striking a deal.
