Evangelos Meimarakis

Political developments in crisis-plagued and still bailout-dependent Greece continued on Tuesday, given that snap elections are now foreseen for late September, or at the latest, in the first week of October.

Evangelos Meimarakis, leader of major opposition party New Democracy (ND) repeated that forming a government was still possible, in an interview to Skai TV, Tuesday. The leader of ND said Tsipras is holding the elections so that he can lose and ‘run away’, while he accused the Greek PM of representing economic interests.

Major opposition party leader of New Democracy (ND) Evangelos Meimarakis returned the mandate, Monday morning, he received from Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos Friday, after failed attempts (something totally predictable) to form a coalition government from the current political groups in the Greek parliament.

Political developments with the commensurate statements by high-profile lawmakers continued on Friday, a day after PM Alexis Tsipras tendered his resignation and decision to hold snap elections.

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Main opposition leader Evangelos Meimarakis reacts to the announcement of snap elections by PM Alexis Tsipras.

Greece’s Parliament passed a draft law approving terms for a third bailout memorandum on Friday morning by a margin of 222 in favor to 64 against, after an all-night debate in the legislature confirmed an acrimonious division within the ruling SYRIZA party over the 11th-hour agreement.

Eleven MPs abstained, declaring themselves “present”.

The EZ ministers are now taking a dinner break after three hours of talks. Reuters reports that Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos was told that he must offer deeper reforms if there is to be a third bailout. He reportedly called Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to discuss these additional measures.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos called a Council of Greek political leaders shortly after the bailout victory for the rejection of international creditors bailout terms on Sunday.

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras arrived shortly after 10 a.m., accompanied by State Minister Nikos Pappas and Government Spokesperson Gabriel Sakellaridis.

Parliament launched its latest inquiry into the Siemens cash-for-contracts scandal on Tuesday, with the head of the previous committee - former PASOK MP Syfis Valyrakis - being called as the first witness.