ATHENS - Prime Minister George Papandreou called for unity across Greece's political spectrum Tuesday, as European finance ministers and leaders struggled to come up with a definitive solution to Greece's debt woes that won't drag down other EU nations as well.
A nonstop barrage of EU meetings is culminating in a Wednesday summit where EU leaders are expected to shore up the eurozone bailout fund to contain the continental debt turmoil and prevent the nation from a catastrophic default.
Eurozone governments hope the enhanced European Financial Stability Fund, or EFSF, will be able to protect larger EU countries such as Italy and Spain from being engulfed in the debt crisis.
"This is a critical time and I hope that we reach decisions tomorrow -- that is the will of our partners, and it is our will," Papandreou said as he briefed Greece's president, Karolos Papoulias, on the latest developments. "We must remain clear-headed and calm with a sense of unity on all side and all political parties."
Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos has promised that any decision emerging from the summit related to the long-term viability of Greece's debt would be put to a vote in Parliament. He implied that a reinforced majority might be sought -- that is two-thirds of the 300 deputies would have to vote in favour for the measures to be approved.
"It is obvious that the government considers such issues must be handled with an increased feeling of responsibility, and as such be voted on in parliament if possible with a broad majority, not because this is legally necessary but because it is nationally imperative and politically responsible," Venizelos said.
The opposition conservative party has repeatedly disagreed with how Greece's international creditors have gone about rescuing the country, saying constant austerity measures is not the best way forward. Conservatives have called for tax cuts instead of increases to restart the economy, which is currently facing a fourth straight year of recession.
Papandreou has seen his party's strong majority in parliament whittled down to just three deputies as repeated rounds of austerity votes have taken their toll. Conservatives, however, were the party in power when Greek falsified its economic data for years, leading to the current crisis.
Greek unions have also lashed out against the series of spending cuts and tax hikes, with frequent strikes and demonstrations that often turn violent.
On Tuesday, public transport workers in Athens held yet another 24-hour strike, leaving commuters to struggle to work through snarled traffic.
