November 10, 2011
It took days of bickering before Greece's two largest parties finally agreed that Lucas Papademos would lead Greece through the crisis as its interim prime minister. The extended negotiations revealed his political strengths -- and showed that he can stand up to both the socialists and the conservatives.
Finally. After days of wrangling between the major political parties in Athens, white smoke is finally wafting out. Habemus papam, or more precisely, Habemus Papademos.
Lucas Papademos, the 64-year-old former vice president of the European Central Bank (ECB), has been chosen as Greece's interim prime minister and to lead his country out of the political chaos of recent weeks and out of the crisis. His swearing in has been scheduled for Friday at noon.
The economist with a impeccable reputation has won out in the power struggle with Greece's political heavyweights. And, in doing so, he has given the first indication of his own political strength.
Until the very end, Giorgios Papandreou, who is still prime minister and leader of the ruling socialist party PASOK, and Antonis Samaras, head of the conservative New Democracy party, had tried to box in the crisis manager. In the meantime, other candidates' names were thrown into the hat, including that of Filippos Petsalnikos, speaker of the Greek parliament.
More
No comments:
Post a Comment