Greek PM Papandreou hints at austerity referendum

Greece’s prime minister has said he will consider holding a referendum on further cutbacks essential for the loan-dependent country to continue drawing on funds from an international bailout, amid persistent anti-austerity protests.

“I am prepared, for the great changes that we are putting forward, to use even the institution of a referendum, for the broadest possible consent or opinion,” George Papandreou told his ministers during a marathon informal Cabinet meeting yesterday that ran for more than seven hours.