Greek PM requests coalition government

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou met President Karolos Papoulias midday Saturday to announce he was seeking a coalition government amid a debt crisis.

Papandreou formalized his intentions hours after narrowly avoiding a non-confidence vote in Parliament by a 153-147 vote, Ekathimerini reported.

Papandreou's socialist PASOK party is calling for austerity measures in return for $179 billion in international aid loans from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

His plans have sparked rioting and harsh political opposition, particularly from the main New Democracy opposition party. Its leader, Antonis Samaras, last week called for a referendum on accepting the bailout package, which Papandreou rejected.

Samaras countered by saying the only other solution was a snap election, leading to Friday night's late confidence vote.

There are three other smaller opposition parties in parliament Papandreou is likely to approach first to build a coalition, Ekathimerini said.

In any case, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said a coalition would be formed with the intention of calling elections in February, the report said.