A caretaker government to lead the country to new election polls will be appointed on Wednesday, according to the Presidency spokesman. “We’re heading to elections,” the spokesman told reporters.

PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos put the blame on “those who coldly put their narrow partisan interests above national interest.” “Greek people on May 6, told us that they do not want elections again, they want a coalition government,” said Venizelos. He added: “PASOK lost the elections on 6 May. This meant that could influence things less than before the election. But since the day after, we had a responsible attitude. We asked to undertake a common national endeavor. Unfortunately this was not accepted.”

Venizelos noted that PASOK adopted Democratic Left leader Kouvelis’ proposal for a national unity government for a 2-year duration with the participation of SYRIZA. “We believed that there was a basis for a consensus”, he said. “The country will find its way. We will struggle from a basis, which is unfavorable for PASOK. This will happen if Greek citizens make a right choice. Let’s move towards a better situation; for God’s sake let’s not do worse. ”

“Some people, in reality, are struggling to lead the country out of Europe,” ND leader Antonis Samaras stated, underlining that he agreed to have a government without the New Democracy party “as long as we remain in the Eurozone”. In his speech after the meeting of political leaders, Samaras mentioned the turning point at which our country finds itself. “The country is going through its most critical moments after the junta. Greece is isolated” he said, underlining that “the fate of our children” is being determined in the elections.

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras accused Samaras and Venizelos that they remain faithful to their commitments to Merkel and thereby made the formation of a government impossible. “Samaras and Venizelos, faithful to their signatures denied adopting our proposals and in substance posed a dilemma: Memorandum or elections” stated Tsipras. “They did not simply ask for our agreement but invited us to put our signature on measures of poverty and destitution. We resisted with all our strength and soul”, he stated and underlined that SYRIZA took the decision not to betray the hopes of the people. “The forces of yesterday which demolished society are looking for a second chance of survival, threaten and harass”, Tsipras said and added that they must be put into history’s limbo. “Now is the time to complete the great advance which took place on May 6th, to form a government of the Left, with enhanced strength”.

“My fellow Greeks, I did what I could,” said Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis to reporters after the meeting. “Some are leading the country to elections, based on partisan interests”.

According to media reports, the political leaders’ meeting was quite intense. Later on, ND cadres associated failure of talks with the ambition of Independent Greeks’ leader Panos Kammenos to take over the Premiership. Sources said there were strong words between PASOK and SYRIZA leaders.

Yesterday, a Hellenic Presidency announcement said that during yesterday’s meeting between President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos, the latter handed a series of scenarios to the President, amongst which demands were expressed in order Kammenos to participate in a national unity government.

Political leaders meet again Wednesday, 13.00 to discuss the formation of a caretaker government that will lead the country to elections.

A caretaker government to lead the country to new election polls will be appointed on Wednesday, according to the presidency spokesman. “We’re heading to elections,” the spokesman told reporters.

PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos put the blame on “those who coldly put their narrow partisan interests above national interest.” “Greek people on May 6, told us that they do not want elections again, they want a coalition government,” said Venizelos. He added: “PASOK lost the elections on 6 May. This meant that could influence things less than before the election. But since the day after, we had a responsible attitude. We asked to undertake a common national endeavor. Unfortunately this was not accepted.”

Venizelos noted that PASOK adopted Democratic Left leader Kouvelis’ proposal for a national unity government for a 2-year duration with the participation of SYRIZA. “We believed that there was a basis for a consensus”, he said. “The country will find its way. We will struggle from a basis, which is unfavorable for PASOK. This will happen if Greek citizens make a right choice. Let’s move towards a better situation; for God’s sake let’s not do worse. ”

“My fellow Greeks, I did what I could,” said Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis to reporters after the meeting. “Some are leading the country to elections, based on partisan interests”.

According to media reports, the political leaders’ meeting was quite intense. Later on, ND cadres associated failure of talks with the ambition of Independent Greeks’ leader Panos Kammenos to take over the Premiership. Sources said there were strong words between PASOK and SYRIZA leaders.

A few minutes ago, a Hellenic Presidency announcement said that during yesterday’s meeting between President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos, the latter handed a series of scenarios to the President, amongst which demands were expressed in order Kammenos to participate in a national unity government.

During the meeting, a brief report was presented to the leaders on the financial situation of the country, written by outgoing Prime Minister Lucas Papademos.

According to media reports, Antonis Samaras blamed Alexis Tsipras for not agreeing to support a coalition government with ND, PASOK and Democratic Left, headed by Fotis Kouvelis. The latter had said that he would only enter an administration with ND and PASOK if SYRIZA joined as well.

“They are not asking for agreement, they are asking us to be their partners in crime and we will not be their accomplices,” said Alexis Tsipras. “The memorandum has been rejected by the Greek people. No government has the right to apply it,” he added. “The issue is the austerity measures the Greek people have suffered for two years.”

“Despite the impasse at the meeting we had with the president, I hold on to some limited optimism that a government can be formed,” said Venizelos. “The moment of truth has come. We either form a government or we go to elections.” (protothema.gr)

Samaras was the only leader to make a statement to journalists before the meeting with Papoulias. “The Greek people have not just sent a message, they have issued an order to change policy but to remain in Europe,” he said according to Kathimerini. “It is an order to cooperate and form a viable government that will last until the European elections. It has to be a government that is above and beyond specific personalities.”

Samaras’s comment was in line with what was agreed with PASOK and Democratic Left earlier this week. The three parties agreed that an ecumenical government should be formed with the aim of staying in power until 2014.

President Papoulias’ meetings with the rest of political leaders of parties entering the Parliament (Democratic Left, Independent Greeks, Communist Party, Golden Dawn) were concluded yesterday evening.

Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos acknowledged the need a government to be formed, presenting a series of conditions for his party’s participation in a national unity government scheme.

A second meeting of the political leaders is scheduled later this evening, although Tsipras said that he would not attend.

If no deal is reached, a caretaker government will be appointed, headed by the president of the Supreme Court, Council of State or the Court of Audit.