November 5, 2011
Greece's embattled prime minister George Papandreou has agreed to step aside to make way for a government "of broad acceptance" that will be led by his long-time political foe, finance minister Evangelos Venizelos.
Ahead of winning a crucial vote of confidence in parliament by 153-145, Papandreou, who has steered the country through its worst crisis in recent history said he would visit the Greek president, Karolos Papoulias, who is head of state, to ask him to form a coalition government.
"It's a done deal," a well-placed source told the Guardian. "Papandreou will propose that Venizelos becomes prime minister and he will go home."
With Greece at the centre of Europe's debt drama, the government of national unity, expected to be formed in the coming days, would give Athens the breathing space to approve a vital aid package crafted by the EU and IMF last week.
"It will be a four-month government," said Venizelos. "In February new elections will be held."
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