Greece’s new interim government comfortably won a vote of confidence

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/world/europe/interim-greek-government-wins-confidence-vote.html?_r=1
http://www.ekathimerini.com/

ATHENS — Greece’s new interim government comfortably won a vote of confidence on Wednesday, though the unity of the coalition, which must secure crucial rescue financing and save the country from default, appeared tenuous.

The government of Prime MinisterLucas Papademos, a former vice president of the European Central Bank, secured 255 votes in the 300-seat Parliament. In a poll conducted by roll call, 38 lawmaker voted against the government and seven were absent. Only three members in the three-party coalition — two from the Socialist party, Pasok, and one from a conservative party, New Democracy — voted against the government.

Speaking before the vote, Mr. Papademos appealed for the widest possible support for his administration’s bid to put the country’s fiscal house in order. “Each vote corresponds to a vote of responsibility to ensure that the effort to rescue the economy continues,” he said.