The
latest twist in the tortuous political drama came as EU paymaster
Germany threatened to cut off the country's loan lifeline and hinted
that the crisis-ridden eurozone could get along without Greece.
Venizelos
was the third party leader who tried and failed to cobble together a
government after inconclusive elections Sunday that saw a backlash
against painful austerity measures that have triggered sometimes violent
protests.
"I
am going to inform the president of the republic tomorrow (Saturday)
and I hope that during the meeting with Carolos Papoulias, each party
will assume its responsibilities," Venizelos told reporters in Athens.
If the parties cannot agree a compromise by next Thursday, new elections will have to be called.
Venizelos
had been hoping to win the support of Syriza, a party deeply opposed to
the terms of the 240 billion euro (311 billion dollar) EU-IMF bailout
and which surged to second place in Sunday's vote.
"It
is not Syriza which is rejecting (joining a coalition with the
socialists and conservatives) but it is the verdict of the people of
Greece," said party chief Alexis Tsipras.
Earlier,
another possible ally, the small Democratic Left party, said it would
not join a government made up of only Pasok and the conservative New
Democracy party that did not include Syriza.
Earlier
this week both Tsipras and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras failed
in their own attempts to assemble a coalition government.
German
leaders warned today that Athens could expect no more money without
reforms and also suggested that the eurozone would cope if the
cash-strapped country left the 17-member currency union.
Greece has already committed to finding in June another 11.5 billion euros (USD 15 billion) in savings over the next two years.
It also needs to redeem 436 million euros in maturing debt on 15th May.
The political deadlock saw the Athens stock exchange plunge 4.5 per cent on Saturday after closing up 4.19 per cent on Friday.
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