Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos says he has the backing of leaders from the three political parties supporting his interim government, as international creditors increase the pressure on Greece to make deeper spending cuts to secure new funding.

Former European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos today joined Greek political leaders at power-sharing talks to form a new government, in a strong indication that he is being lined up to be the country’s new prime minister.

GREECE’S governing conservatives appeared headed for election victory last night, exit polls showed, despite widespread anger over devastating forest fires that killed more than 65 people last month.

Official results with just more than 40% of the total vote in the Greek election today counted showed Karamanlis' New Democracy party ahead with 43.7% and the opposition socialist PASOK party in second place with 38.5%.