Samaras sworn in as new Greek PM

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ATHENS, Greece, June 20 (UPI) -- Greece's new three-party government was formed Wednesday with New Democracy Party leader Antonis Samaras sworn in as prime minister during a televised ceremony.

The new government coalition, formed by New Democracy, Pasok and the Democratic Party of the Left, was sworn in by Archbishop Ieronymos of the Greek Orthodox Church, The New York Times reported.

After the ceremony, Samaras spoke of the need for "patriotism, national unity and trust that with the help of God we can ensure that the Greek people emerge from the crisis as soon as possible," the Times said.

"I am fully aware of the critical moments we face as a country," Samaras said, adding Greeks need "healing."

Evangelos Venizelos of Pasok said earlier the fact that "Greece has a government ... is the message that we need to send abroad," CNN reported.

Greece had been without an elected government for 223 days and is struggling to emerge from the political and financial mire that threatens to drag down the eurozone and trigger a new global financial crisis.

Venizelos, a former finance minister who negotiated the second debt deal with foreign creditors, said outgoing Finance Minister George Zannias would represent Greece at a European finance ministers' summit Thursday, the Times said.

"We have to prepare very well for the European summit. It will be the first battle to change the program and return to growth," Venizelos said.