Debates on a crucial confidence vote in Greece's beleaguered Socialist government are under way in the country's parliament, with the vote expected to take place at midnight local time (22:00 GMT).
Addressing the lawmakers, several Cabinet ministers said they were ready to support Prime Minister George Papandreou in Friday's vote if he agreed to the opposition's proposal for an interim coalition government.
Papandreou's Socialist party holds a tenuous two-seat majority in the 300-strong legislature, but at least one Socialist lawmaker has threatened not to back the government in Friday's vote.
If Papandreou wins the vote, he will still face the challenge of persuading the parliament to approve the new 130-billion-euro EU bailout package for debt-stricken Greece, which stipulates new tough austerity measures in the form of pension cuts, layoffs and new taxes.
Should the prime minister lose the confidence vote, his Cabinet will be dissolved and he will have to agree with the opposition on the formation of a coalition government. If no agreement is reached, the country will face early election.
International pressure and the Socialist revolt forced Papandreou on Thursday to abandon his plans to hold the referendum on the new rescue package, which was approved by euro zone leaders on October 26.
Greek lawmakers gather for crucial confidence vote
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Debates on a crucial confidence vote in Greece's beleaguered Socialist government are under way in the country's parliament, with the vote expected to take place at midnight local time (22:00 GMT).
