PM offers broad coalition and elections in 2015

Arguing that 'elections must not happen' now, he called for MPs to elect a new president of the republic and come together for the country to achieve an agreement over a restructuring of the country’s debt and the future of Greece’s financing as well as begin the process of constitutional reform. As concessions to opposition opposition he said he would be willing to broaden the makeup of the government and dissolve parliament for early elections to be held by the end of 2015.

Two days before the second crucial vote for the new head of state and under the heavy cloud created by the allegations of a plot to bribe MPs, the PM backed down to a certain degree from his hardline stance, abandoning his earlier ultimatum of ‘a president, or elections on the 25th of January’. He called on MPs to find common ground, making proposals that approach those made by the ‘gang of 8’ independent MPs who have stated that they would be willing to vote for a new president under certain conditions – the most significant being that early general elections be held in 2015.

In his address, the prime minister referred to the accusations of attempts to bribe MPs, saying that the country "cannot continue the orgy of unfounded and despicable accusations” and stated that ‘elections must not happen’ immediately.”

He also slammed the opposition parties SYRIZA and Independent Greeks over the ‘poisonous’ charges. “Charges, that unfortunately, the main opposition leader (Alexis Tsipras), his party's top cadres and his well known associate, the leader of a third party, are the protagonists.” He went on to attack the opposition parties for implying that any MP who voted in favour of the government’s presidential candidate will have been bribed.

“But MPs do not succumb to such a campaign of discredit. Fear and terror will not pass. And this is the democracy's wager today,” Samaras said.

The PM went on to argue that  to hold elections now would be dangerous for the country given the uncertainty over the future of Greece’s financing following the expiration of the Memorandum agreement at the end of February. Similarly he stated that elections now would postpone the process of constitutional reform for many years.

“It is extremely serious for the country's course to negotiate the new agreement that will shield Greece, after the end of the memorandum,” he said.

“I still hope for the support of all MPs in order to proceed and to complete the revision of the Constitution so that very soon Greece has the new Constitution it needs. The country must not be thrown into a new series of tribulations and to postpone the revision for many years.”

“Furthermore after the presidential election we can broaden the government with the participation of more persons that believe in the European prospect of the country in order for the next phase to find us more united.”

The Prime Minister concluded, “It is therefore a national obligation and what the common sense dictates to complete the negotiation with our lenders and to complete the Constitutional revision in conditions of safety and calmness. Afterwards when we are shielded economically and politically we can find the right timeline for national elections, even at the end of 2015, because in conditions of pre-election polarization, only fools would believe that anyone could negotiate for the economy or revise the Constitution. That's what the voice of responsibility says to the Greek people."

SYRIZA was quick to reject any speculation that they would budge from their demands for elections in early 2015. 

Mr Samaras does not want to face the judgment of the Greek people," Syriza spokesman Panos Skourletis said, according to Reuters.

In a statement issued by the party SYRIZA reiterated its position that the country was in need of a new strong government and a new course. “The process of electing a president will be completed, the people will speak, hope will prevail over fear, democracy will win,” the statement concluded.

The Independent Greeks also rejected the offer, while Democratic Left said it would consider its response at a meeting on Monday.

However a some independent MPs have reacted more favourably indicating that in the second round of voting on Tuesday, the government is likely to improve on its tally of 160 yes votes obtained in the first round of elections.

However a shift large enough to change the momentum prior to the final round of elections on the 29th, remains a tall order.