Government Leaders Discuss Cabinet Reshuffle

Following his meeting with Samaras at government headquarters, Venizelos, as is usually the case, spoke to the reporters. He noted that the government understands "very well" the messages sent to it by the voters. "It is our duty to respond to people's needs and provide solutions.

Nevertheless, the foremost issue is to complete the exit from the crisis with security and stability, because that is what's going to really benefit every Greek, every family, every business and the unemployed", stressed Venizelos.

The government vice president announced a forthcoming concerted series of political initiatives as the government's reaction to the ballots' outcome. These will include a government reshuffle, which will require some preparatory work and finally take place "on political, not journalistic, terms", by which he meant the reshuffle will probably not be as soon as some had speculated.

Venizelos did not completely deny having also discussed with Samaras about the successor of Bank of Greece Governor George Provopoulos, stressing that "the criteria which will hold were confirmed today".

He did not clarify whether or not he discussed with the PM the prospect of changing the 50-seat bonus that the Greek election system offers to the majority party at national - Greek Parliament - elections, a plan which, according to reports, is one with which the PM doesn't agree.