Papandreou due to pave way for new PM at 6 pm [update]
A meeting between Greek President Karolos Papoulias and outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou that will pave way for a new premier and government to be appointed is scheduled to take place at 6 pm on Wednesday.
At the meeting Papandreou is expected to announce the new interim prime minister. Papandreou was due to inform the other party leaders of the choice before meeting Papoulias.
Speaking to the press earlier in the day, PASOK veteran Apostolos Kaklamanis revealed that he was approached by both Papandreou and New Democracy’s Antonis Samaras for the PM position, but that his candidature faced party pressure from both PASOK and New Democracy. Parliamentary speaker Filippos Petsalnikos is another figure that has been linked with the post.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou appeared to suggest that the only candidate that could do the job is former European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos. She said that the country needed the next prime minister to enjoy prestige and be recognized both locally and abroad.
The position, said the minister, should be filled by someone with a deep knowledge of financial affairs and the issues regarding the October 27 deal signed by European leaders regarding Greek debt.
