Antonis Samaras

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Radical Lefties Win Greek Elections

Anti-bailout party Syriza cruises to win in parliamentary vote

(Newser) - A Greek state TV exit poll is projecting that anti-bailout party Syriza has won today's parliamentary elections—in a historic first for a radical left wing party in Greece. But it's unclear whether Syriza has won a decisive enough victory over Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' incumbent conservatives to...

Greek Parliament OKs Austerity Budget

But Europe still hasn't settled on aid package

(Newser) - Following the tight passage of an austerity package last week, Greece's parliament has approved a 2013 austerity budget. The budget, part of a plan to receive further foreign financing, passed by a margin of 167 to 128, the New York Times reports. It cuts salaries, pensions, and benefits by...

Greeks Launch 48-Hour Strike Over New Cuts

Parliament votes tomorrow on bailout-linked austerity measures

(Newser) - Greeks today launched a 48-hour general strike in protest of new spending cuts, with an estimated 2 million people—from lawyers to hospital employees—taking part. The union-organized strike has shut down banks, schools, and public transportation as Parliament prepares vote on the cuts tomorrow. It must support the austerity...

Greece Reaches 'Basic Agreement' on Austerity

Decision follows yesterday's giant protests

(Newser) - The heads of the three parties in Greece's governing coalition have reached a "basic agreement" on an austerity package for 2013-2014, the country's finance minister says. The cuts are essential if Greece is to continue receiving funds from international emergency loans. The meeting between Prime Minister Antonis...

Greece to Europe: We Need More Time

Samaras asks for 'breathing space' ahead of meeting over bailout payment

(Newser) - Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is begging the EU and the IMF to give Greece a couple more years to find the $14.3 billion in budget cuts it promised to come up with under its bailout deal. Greece was supposed to find those cuts before getting its next $39.3...

Greece's New Finance Minister Quits
 Greece's New 
 Finance Minister Quits 
UPDATED

Greece's New Finance Minister Quits

Vassilis Rapanos steps down days after being named to post

(Newser) - It may not be an encouraging sign for Greece's financial affairs, but the country's brand-new finance minister is resigning, Bloomberg reports. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras accepted Vassilis Rapanos' resignation today, according to a text message from the premier’s office. Rapanos had just been named the new minister...

Greek PM Bails on EU Summit After Eye Surgery

Antonis Samaras underwent 4-hour operation for detached retina

(Newser) - Greece's new prime minister will not be well enough to travel to a critical EU summit in Brussels after undergoing an eye operation, the government said today. Antonis Samaras, 61, underwent surgery for a detached retina for nearly four hours yesterday, just three days after being sworn in at...

Greece: We've Got a Deal
 New Greek PM Signed In 
UPDATED

New Greek PM Signed In

Antonis Samaras sworn in after deal reached to form government

(Newser) - New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras was sworn in as Greece's new prime minister today, after his conservative party reached a deal to form a coalition government with the liberal Pasok and Democratic Left parties, CNN reports. "We trust that with God's help we will do all we...

Greeks Close In on Deal, But Germany May Not Like It

Parties intent on renegotiating bailout

(Newser) - The leaders of Greece's political parties emerged from meetings today saying they were determined to form a government—though from the sound of things, that may be a government at odds with Germany. The conservative New Democracy party is hoping to form a unity government with Socialist Pasok and...

Pro-Bailout Party Wins Greek Election

New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras: Greeks chose 'European path'

(Newser) - Fears of an imminent Greek exit from Europe's joint currency receded today after the conservative New Democracy came first in critical elections and pro-bailout parties won enough Parliamentary seats to form a joint government. As central banks stood ready to intervene in case of financial turmoil, Greece held its...

Stakes Critical as Greeks Vote
Stakes Critical as Greeks Vote 

Stakes Critical as Greeks Vote

Europe watches, worries about exit from eurozone

(Newser) - Greece is voting today amid global fears that victory by parties that have vowed to ditch bailouts and austerity measures could undermine the eurozone and send the world's major economies reeling. For Greeks, it is the second national election in six weeks, reflecting political turmoil sparked by a two-year...

Radical Left Gets Shot at Running Greece

Eurozone exit more likely than ever after election revolt

(Newser) - Irate Greek voters may have shoved their country out of the eurozone for good in Sunday's election , by crippling the mainstream parties that voted for the country's bailout. The head of the Conservative New Democracy Party gave up trying to form a ruling coalition within hours yesterday, the...

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