After several delays and postponements Prime Minister Lucas Papademos is meeting George Papandreou (PASOK), Antonis Samaras (Nea Dimokratia) and Giorgos Katatzaferis (LAOS). Samaras arrived at PM’s office short before 5 p.m., Karatzaferis a few minutes later. I assume Papandreou had arrived first.
Government partner Karatzaferis had asked time to read the austerity measures accompanying the new loan agreement. The full text in Greek had reached his office at 2.30 pm.
The Foreign Ministry had translated the Troika’s text as finalized after four days tough bargain and long consultations with Papademos, Finance Minister Venizelos and Labour Minister Koutroumanis on one side and the Troika on the other.
All three party leaders reportedly have reservations concerning the percentage cuts in the wages and pensions, the 15,000 lay-offs.
The meeting is considered as the most crucial taking place in Athens after the 2nd. World War.
Should the meeting end in consent, a cabinet meeting will follow – maybe later on the day or tomorrow – and a voting at the Greek parliament on Sunday, Feb 12, 2012.
PS Nobody wants to speculate what will happen if political leaders won’t give their consent…
