Greek prime minister calls for elections

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is urging President Karolos Papoulias to schedule general elections for Sept. 16, it was reported Friday.

Karamanlis asked the president to dissolve Parliament so the elections could take place, The Athens News Agency reported.

"The government ... invites the Greek people to clarify the future of the country by renewing their trust and giving a powerful mandate for a new four-year term," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

Karamanlis cited draft bills and constitutional revision as the main reasons for seeking a quick election, adding the specific date was chosen so that "the new government will have ample time to draft the (2008) budget.

"I adamantly believe that the citizens desire the continuation of the changes and reforms, with a new momentum and new speed," Karamanlis said during the last cabinet meeting of his New Democracy government.