Papandreou to resign once deal struck: lawmaker

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will resign as soon as a deal for an interim coalition government is agreed, perhaps as early as Sunday night, a senior member from his party said.

The main goal, duration and leader of such an administration must be agreed before Papandreou resigns PASOK party lawmaker Telemachos Hitiris told Greek state television.

"We only have to wait for the prime minister's announcements in the cabinet," he said. "Everything must be done within the day, otherwise tomorrow it will be hell."

Papandreou has come under fire at home and abroad for his short-lived plan for a referendum on a euro zone bailout deal. He survived a confidence vote in parliament on Saturday, but lawmakers from his party have called on him to quit.

Hitiris said elections should be held after Greece meets its obligations to euro zone partners, pinning the timing to around January or February.

Copyright Reuters, 2011