Venizelos says elections due in late April - The Best from Greece

The finance minister has said that elections are likely to be held in late April, two months later than originally planned, giving the new coalition government time to push through key reforms.

 

Evangelos Venizelos told a meeting of Pasok's executive political council on Tuesday: "The political outlook of this government has been clarified. Elections will take place after Easter [April 15 in the Orthodox calendar], in late April."

 

Pasok has been at odds over the poll date with coalition partner New Democracy, which had been seeking elections on the tentative date set for February 19, or shortly afterwards.

 

But ND softened that demand as the government remains locked in negotiations for a 130bn euro second bailout deal that will also see banks cancel privately held Greek debt worth around 100bn euros.

 

"The country is in tragic state," Venizelos said. "Conditions close to recession are set to prevail in Europe in 2012 and that will have an even greater impact on the Greek economy, and things like exports."

 

As the country is heading for a fourth year of recession, the government is hoping to conclude the debt cancellation deal next month, but it still needs parliament to stay open to ratify the agreement and push through other reforms called for by international debt inspectors, due back in Athens in mid-January.

 

"So when will the future of the country be determined?" Venizelos said. "At the April elections? No. It will be determined starting January 16 and for the subsequent two or three weeks, while conducts negotiations for the new programme. Now is the time for negotiation. There will be no renegotiating after the elections, because the new loan agreement will have already been voted on." (Athens News/gw)