Greek conservative leader Antonis Samaras is starting coalition talks after winning elections that follow weeks of uncertainty over the debt-crippled country’s future in the eurozone.

Fears of an imminent Greek exit from Europe’s joint currency receded after the conservative New Democracy party came first in a critical election and pro-bailout parties won enough seats to form a joint government.

Greece's socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos is accusing the head of the IMF of trying to "humiliate" the Greek people.

Greece’s newly installed caretaker prime minister began talks with party leaders ahead of this week’s EU summit that’s expected to focus on ways of kick-starting economic growth across the continent.

Greece is headed for another month of political paralysis ahead of new elections in mid-June after party leaders failed to agree a coalition government.

Greece will hold a new general election in June after days of talks failed to resolve the country’s political deadlock.

Greece will face another general election, socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos said after talks to agree a new government produced no deal.

Greek political leaders ignored a final plea from the president to form a coalition government to avert a repeat election, pushing the debt-stricken nation closer to bankruptcy and a possible exit from the eurozone.

Greece’s president will meet political party leaders today in a last-chance effort to broker a deal for a coalition government and avoid another general election.

Greek socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos has handed back the mandate to seek partners for a coalition government to the country’s president after three rounds of negotiations proved fruitless.

Efforts to form a coalition have failed, Greece’s socialist leader and former finance minister said last night.

Greece’s wrangling politicians were locked in last-ditch efforts today to form a coalition government, with chances of a deal appearing slim.

Germany's finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble has warned Greece there will be no more money without reforms.

Hopes have risen slightly that Greece can end its post-electoral deadlock without having to hold new elections, as international partners warned that Athens must stick to its austerity programme or abandon the euro.

Greek power-sharing talks entered a third and final round today, as parties in the crisis-hit country struggled to hammer out a coalition deal after general elections produced no outright winner.

Leftist leader Alexis Tsipras gave up his attempt to form a government yesterday, pushing Greece closer to its second election in a few weeks, after voter rejection of an EU/IMF bailout plunged the country into crisis.

The smouldering debate over European austerity burned hotter as the left-winger trying to form a new Greek government declared his country was no longer bound by pledges to impose crippling cuts in return for rescue loans.

Greece sank deeper into crisis yesterday when the leftist candidate for prime minister set conditions for a coalition which the biggest party said would destroy the country.

Greeks head to the polls on Sunday in their most critical – and uncertain - election in decades, with voters set to punish the two main parties that are being held responsible for the country’s dire economic straits.

Greece closed a bond swap offer to private creditors last night after clearing the minimum threshold of acceptance to push the deal through, moving closer to unlocking funds it needs to avoid a dangerous debt default.

Bank deposits in Greece have fallen by €70bn since the start of the crisis in 2009, the finance minister said today.

The Greek government has threatened to name and shame politicians accused of funnelling huge sums of money abroad in spite of a call to ordinary Greeks to return their savings to the country’s cash-strapped banks.

The Greek Parliament today approved a massive bond swap that will wipe €107bn off the country’s privately held debt.

European finance ministers insisted on much tighter oversight of Greece's spending and austerity efforts, despite assurances that Athens would go ahead with promised cuts and reforms to secure a €130bn bailout.

Greece has made progress convincing the rest of the eurozone that it should get a 130 billion euro bailout – but the country’s austerity measures will need tighter surveillance, the chairman of the eurozone’s finance ministers said.

The future of Greece in the euro looked more problematic last night as six ministers resigned ahead of a crucial vote on the latest austerity package.

A high-ranking Greek official has resigned in protest over a proposed bailout deal for the country.

Unions in Greece have launched a two-day general strike against planned austerity measures, a day after the country's crucial international bailout was put in limbo by its eurozone partners.

A crucial meeting between Greece’s prime minister and debt inspectors on averting the country’s bankruptcy has just ended with no definite results.

Crisis talks on a debt deal for Greece will continue today after a five-hour meeting between the prime minister and coalition government party leaders failed to reach agreement.

Crisis talks in Greece for huge new debt deals will continue tomorrow, leaders of parties supporting the country’s coalition government have said .

Debt talks vital to avoiding bankruptcy are at “a satisfactory level of agreement” but are being held up by a disagreement over drastic workplace reforms, A senior Greek official said today.

“Crucial” issues remain to be resolved in Greece’s critical negotiations over a second multi-billion euro international bailout as talks continue today.

The European Central Bank must take part in Greece’s debt swap, finance minister Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday, warning that a rescue package for Athens also hinges on other issues being resolved such as labour reforms and how Greek banks are to be recapitalised.

Greece says it has all but concluded a crucial deal to write off half its privately-held debt.

Greece has been warned it must carry out even more austerity cuts if it is to reduce its crippling debts.

Greece’s talks with international debt inspectors on a second rescue loan package are “difficult and critical,” Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said today.

Greece forecast today that its budget deficit will fall sharply next year and insisted that no fresh austerity measures will be needed to plug a hole in this year’s finances.

Greece's new technocrat Prime Minister Lucas Papademos assumed power today at the helm of an interim coalition government that will seek to push through tough economic reforms and ensure the country avoids a catastrophic default.

Greece’s incoming prime minister is to name his Cabinet today, a day after being appointed to head an interim coalition government which will push through a new European debt deal and secure continued bailout funding to prevent a catastrophic default.

A FORMER deputy head of the European Central Bank emerged yesterday as frontrunner to become Greek prime minister, as party leaders bargained over who will lead a “100-day coalition” to push through a bailout before the nation runs out of money.

Greece can and will carry out austerity measures and “reconstruct the country”, finance minister Evangelos Venizelos said today.

THE Greek Prime Minister entered the political twilight zone last week when he stunned colleagues with his announcement of a referendum on the revised bailout deal for Greece.

Greece’s prime minister has abandoned his explosive plan to put a European rescue deal to a referendum.