Global General

Greek PM defends austerity package

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-19 19:15

ATHENS - Ahead of lawmakers' confidence vote on his new crisis cabinet, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou Sunday defended the austerity package and called for a referendum on whether to change the country's constitution.

Speaking at the onset of a three-day debate in the parliament, Papandreou urged Greeks to unite behind the unpopular package in order to overcome the country's worsening debt crisis.

He also said the proposed fall referendum would remove those unfit to govern from key government posts.

The confidence vote will be held on Tuesday, a crucial test for the prime minister and his new economic and political initiatives at a time of the country's deepening crisis.