Greece’s new Prime Minister Lucas Papademos received the confidence vote at the Greek Parliament on Wednesday afternoon with 255 YES and 38 NO out of 293 voters in a Parliament of 300. Two PASOK deputies and one from Nea Dimokratia voted NO.. All left parties voted NO to the new Greek transition government consisting of PASOK (Socialists), Nea Dimokratia (Conservatives) and LAOS (far-right).
ND MP Panos Kammenos was expelled by the party. ND has now 83 seats in the parliament.
During the 3-days debate at the parliament there was intense criticism from the opposition parties and deputies from the government parties disagreeing on the involvement of LAOS in the government.
Ex PASOK Minister Haris Kastanidis openly disagreed with the LASO participation but stressed, he would give a vote of confidence.
Interior Minister Tassos Giannitsis spoke of a “silent war” against the prime minister inside and outside the country.
ND-leader Antonis Samaras said that those trying to lengthen the term of the transition government in fact they undermine it”.
The outcome of the vote of confidence was expected as PASOK, ND and LAOS have the overwhelming majority at the Parliament, almost 85% in 300 seats. 293 deputies were presnet during the voting.
