The President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias gave yesterday an exploratory mandate to New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras -whose party came first in the June 17 election with 29.66% - to form a coalition government enjoying the confidence of the Parliament.

Upon receiving the mandate, Samaras held successive meetings with the leader of the Coalition of Radical Left (SYRIZA) Alexis Tsipras, PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, Independent Greeks party leader Panos Kammenos and Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis. SYRIZA’s Alexis Tsipras and Kammenos of Independent Greeks turned down Samaras’ proposal, while PASOK’s Evangelos Venizelos and Fotis Kouvelis of Democratic Left party suggested that there is some common ground to form a coalition government.

• EU Officials on Greek Election

Meanwhile, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Sunday issued a joint statement on the result of the elections in Greece, expressing hope that a government would soon be formed.

In a statement issued, also on June 17, the Eurogroup noted that it looked forward to the swift formation of a new Greek government that will take ownership of the adjustment programme to which Greece and the Eurogroup earlier this year committed themselves, while the International Monetary Fund stated that "we stand ready to engage with the new government on the way forward to help Greece achieve its objective of restoring financial stability, economic growth and jobs."

European Parliament President Martin Schulz welcomed the results of the elections and expressed hope that a government will soon be formed that would be able to "break the political deadlock" and begin work on necessary reforms to Greece's economy and public finances.