Greek coalition wobbles after resignation threat

Democratic Left party officials said the ministers of justice and civil service reform would resign from the 17-member cabinet within 24 hours. Two deputy ministers were also preparing to resign, the officials said.

It was not immediately clear whether the party would continue to support conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ coalition government in parliament.

A party statement said it would continue to pursue an “agenda of reform” – implying that it would extend limited support to the government.

Mr Samaras’ three-party coalition has 167 seats in the 300-member parliament, including the 14 MPs from the Democratic Left. The government would be left with a slim working majority of just three if the Democratic Left withdrew its support. Socialist coalition party Pasok says it will remain in Samaras government.

Civil Service Reform Minister Antonis Manitakis announced the withdrawal after a four-hour emergency meeting.

The crisis also saw Greece’s borrowing costs increase, while shares on the Athens Stock Exchange were 3.2 per cent lower yesterday.