EPP welcomes three-party coalition government; Antonis Samaras becomes the 16th PM in the European Council

The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, has congratulated the announcement of the formation of the three-party coalition government in Greece led by Nea Demokratia (ND) President Antonis Samaras. The ND-Pasok-Dimar government will have a 179 seat majority in the 300 member parliament. Prime Minister Samaras becomes the 16th EPP head of state or government in the European Council:


“I warmly congratulate my good friend Antonis Samaras for successfully concluding the negotiations to form a strong and stable government. The three parties that comprise the coalition government, were able to set aside ideological differences and to agree on a common, pro-European programme which will keep Greece safely anchored in the Eurozone,” Martens stated. 
“Moreover, considering that Greece has no political
tradition of coalition governments, I am particularly impressed by the speed in which Antonis Samaras concluded the coalition negotiations. I sincerely hope that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his government will be equally successful in bringing Greece out of the crisis and on the path of economic growth,” the EPP President added.


“I look forward to welcoming at the June 28 EPP Summit of heads of state and government, EPP's newest Prime Minister,” Martens concluded.