Greece: Bailout battle looms for new government

As expected, Greece’s coalition government has sailed through a parliamentary confidence vote. However a much tougher task now lies ahead.

Athens wants to convince European partners and the IMF to give it more time to meet the terms of the bailout that is saving it from bankruptcy.

“It can’t be renegotiated easily,” said teacher Dimitris Pavlis, 50, in the capital. “Signatures have been made and they must be honoured.”

Only then, he said, can Greece try to secure support on the same basis as Spain and Italy.

A retired civil servant, giving his name as Andreas, said he hoped Greece would get an extension. Austerity measures are such, he said, that no Greek would survive otherwise.

The conservative-led coalition’s success in the parliamentary vote followed a heated debate in which it pledged to win back foreign lenders’ trust.

All eyes are now on Brussels and Monday’s meeting of eurozone ministers, with Greece’s wish for concessions high on the agenda.

Copyright © 2013 euronews