Chorus grows for new Greek leader

Financial Times
November 4, 2011

Even if George Papandreou survived a crucial vote of confidence in parliament on Friday night, his position as Greek premier will remain at risk as a group of senior socialists have called for a government of national unity to be formed quickly under a new leader.

“This crisis won’t be over tonight. It will take time to burn itself out,” warned one analyst close to the socialist leadership. “The premier’s leadership will continue to be called into question.”

The odds on Mr Papandreou scraping through appeared to have improved after several rebel socialist lawmakers said they were committed to supporting him.

But analysts warned that the vote, which was due at midnight after six hours of uninterrupted debate, was too close to call.

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