Confidence vote

[Maik]

Greece's troubled coalition government said Wednesday it would call a vote of confidence in parliament next week, hours after the country's leftwing opposition demanded early elections citing ongoing austerity measures.

The vote is likely to be held late Wednesday.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' conservative-led coalition could be forced to call an early election before March as it requires opposition support in parliament to elect a new president.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/State-TV-Greece-s-govt-to-call-confidence-vote-5793952.php

[TonyKath]

Not surprising really.  Hadn't realised that the coalition was now only ND and PASOK with only 154 out of the 300 seats in the Vouli.  Should be interesting.  Keep us posted.

Tony

[Maik]

Greece's coalition government has won a confidence vote it called for in a bid to build support among its backbenchers and ease fears of political instability in advance of a crucial presidential vote early next year.

All 155 legislators in the conservative-socialist coalition backed early Saturday's motion, while 131 opposition legislators in the 300-seat parliament rejected it and two said they were voting neither way.

After the vote, Samaras insisted that the next parliamentary election would be held when the government's mandate expires in 2016.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/10/greece-government-wins-confidence-vote-2014101125958552446.html

[TonyKath]

Thanks for the update.  I would imagine the electorate might be quite relieved at not having another round of elections!

Tony