Coalition stability in the balance as junior partner balks

The stability of the fragile coalition in Greece remained in the balance on the 20 June 2013 as a further meeting between Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his coalition partners, PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos and Fotis Kouvelis of Democratic Left, failed to yield a compromise on the crisis over the closure of the state broadcaster ERT.

On the 21 June 2013 the Democratic Left party pulled out of the fragile governing coalition. The departure of the small party left the ruling coalition government with a majority of just four seats in parliament.

BBC News, 21.06.13: Greek coalition fails to agree on ERT deal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22997822

ESO: Background Information: Greece shuts public TV under EU pressure to cut public sector jobs http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-shuts-public-tv-under-eu-pressure-to-cut-public-sector-jobs/

EurActiv, 21.06.13: Greece's Samaras faces possible revolt by coalition partner http://www.euractiv.com/elections/greek-coalition-hangs-thread-off-news-528762

ESO: Background information: Greek coalition in turmoil over public TV closure http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-coalition-in-turmoil-over-public-tv-closure/

BBC News, 21.06.13: Greece's Democratic Left party defects from coalition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23002435

Kathimerini, 21.06.13: Greece coalition partner pulls out ministers in wake of ERT debacle http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_21/06/2013_505319

Deutsche Welle, 21.06.13: Greek debt costs surge on government collapse http://dw.de/p/18u08

EUObserver, 21.06.13: Greek coalition in turmoil over public TV closure http://euobserver.com/political/120589

Blog: LSE Europpblog, 11.07.13: Greece’s increasingly polarised and fragmented party system is at odds with the country’s international position. http://bit.ly/12UvpBy

---