Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

 

Greek President Carolos Papouilas Summons Parties for Last-Ditch Talks

France 24, May 12, 2012

AFP -

The top three parties that emerged from May 6 inconclusive elections are summoned to power-sharing talks on Sunday, the office of head of state President Carolos Papoulias said.

"The president will summon party leaders in a bid to form a government that will enjoy the backing of the parliamentary body that emerged from general elections on May 6," the president's office said.

The leaders of the conservative, socialist and radical leftist parties, who all failed to form a government this week, will see Papoulias at 0900 GMT and the president will subsequently meet with heads of smaller parties, including the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn, Papoulias' office said Saturday.

No schedule was given for the follow-up meetings.

Greece in turmoil

GREECE Greece’s far-left Tsipras puts rescue deal in doubt

If the parties cannot agree a compromise by next Thursday, new elections will have to be called in June.

The country's international creditors have warned that no new loans will be forthcoming if it falters on structural reforms required to set the Greek economy in order after decades of overspending by the state.

But highly-indebted Greece is deeply torn over the tough austerity measures imposed as conditions for IMF-EU bailouts, and the crisis has raised the spectre of it defaulting and even leaving the 17-member eurozone.

Greek Man On Why He Set Himself On Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-tz6uTZ-Pw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEHGj5I7oGI&feature=related

 

GREECE Socialists, conservatives in talks on forming government

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GREECE Far-left abandons bid to form coalition government