Greek govt has 'no intention' of calling early election

Athens, Jul 21: Greece's government has "no intention" of calling early elections while in the throes of finalising a deal with its eurozone partners on a new bailout, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said.

"Elections are not useful at the moment and the government has no intention of organising any," spokeswoman Olga Gerovassili told state news agency ANA. "The goal is to finalise the deal (with Europe) and restore normality and stability," she said.

Tsipras was dealt a blow by his own camp during last week's parliamentary vote on the first batch of austerity measures demanded by lenders in return for a new 82-billion-euro rescue package.

Around one fifth of Syriza lawmakers, including three ministers, rejected the deal -- leaving Tsipras relying on opposition support to push through the unpopular reforms. He faces another test tomorrow when a second batch of measures, relating to banking and justice, are put to a vote.

Tsipras has himself expressed serious misgivings over the bailout deal but said Greece's creditors left the country with no option but to accept their terms.

AFP