Greek coalition gov't wins confidence vote

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The result was widely expected as the coalition of conservative New Democracy (ND) party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, socialist³ PASOK party and the Democratic Left formed after the June 17 general elections, holds a 179-seat majority in the 300 member strong legislature.

A total of 179 deputies voted in favor of the new government in the roll call vote and 121 against, parliament Speaker Vangelis Meimarakis announced at the end of the process which was broadcast live on the Greek national broadcaster ET 1.

"We rely on the fact that Europe today changes and acknowledges that fiscal⁴ adjustment measures should be accompanied by development policies," said Samaras, addressing the chamber⁵ shortly before the vote.

In a similar speech he delivered on Friday presenting the government's policy program, he stressed that Greece will accelerate the implementation⁶ of structural⁷ reforms and privatizations, seeking in parallel amendments⁸ to some tough terms of the bailout deals stricken with European Union (EU) and International Monetary⁹ Fund (IMF) lenders since 2010.

The aim is to tackle deep recession and kick start much needed growth to exit the crisis.

In both speeches, the prime minister underlined that the new government will not make any unilateral steps, but will cooperate closely with counterparts to assure Greece's future away of the threat of a disorderly default and in the eurozone.

On Monday new Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras is scheduled to attend a Euro group ministerial meeting in Brussels to present officially for first time the government's arguments for a review of the bailout conditions.

Any agreement for amendments is not expected earlier than late July. EU/IMF auditors¹⁰ currently examining in Athens Greece's progress in the implementation of the program over the past few months, should first conclude their regular report on the status of Greek finances.

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