Greece in search of finance minister

Athens (dpa) - Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was to hold a meeting with the two junior partners of his coalition government Tuesday to discuss a suitable replacement for the countrys finance minister, just days after the cabinet was formed.

Vasilis Rapanos, the chairman of the National Bank of Greece, had been named finance minister last week following the creation of a coalition government, comprised of conservative New Democracy, socialist PASOK and the small Democratic Left party.

The veteran banker resigned for health reasons on Monday, three days after being rushed to the hospital after complaining of stomach pains and dizziness.

The prime minister accepted Rapanos resignation hours after himself being discharged from another hospital following an operation to repair a detached retina over the weekend. Doctors have advised him to rest and not to travel to a European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

As Rapanos had not yet been sworn in, outgoing Finance Minister Giorgos Zanias, a key negotiator for Greeces international bailout, still holds the post.

Zanias is to accompany President Karolos Papoulias to the EU leaders summit.

The unforeseen developments have forced inspectors from the European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to postpone a visit to Athens which was scheduled for the start of the week.

Samaras government is looking to revise some of Greeces bailout conditions with its creditors, including the reversal of decisions to fire thousands of public sector workers and raise taxes. dpa cp hm Author: Christine Pirovolakis

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Greece in search of finance minister