AlHijjah 8, 1432, Nov 4, 2011, SPA -- Greek parliamentarians prepared to give their verdict on Prime Minister George Papandreou on Friday in a confidence vote, with many demanding a national unity government to decide the fate of the nation's European bailout and the global economy, Reuters reported. Analysts declared the outcome too tight to forecast, but had a hunch Papandreou might just survive as would-be rebels in his party said they would back their leader one last time -- if he explicitly promised to make way for a national unity government immediately afterwards. Giannaka said a unity government was a necessity for the country, which will run out of money in December unless it secures the new financial lifeline. "If the prime minister doesn't say this, things could get ugly tonight," she said, shortly before the parliamentary debate got underway. After heavy pressure from European leaders, the government said it had dropped Papandreou's plan to hold a referendum on the bailout package, which had threatened an immediate crisis in the euro zone and cast doubt on Greece's membership. But the future of the 130 billion euro deal remained hostage to wrangling among Greek politicians, much to the disgust of voters living through dire economic times which have already triggered violent protests on the streets of Athens. Papandreou says he announced the referendum on Monday -- sending shockwaves through world markets -- to win political consensus for the deal. His opponents have since said they will back the bailout conditionally but accuse him of clinging to power. -- SPA
