Government spokesman Yiorgos Petalotis on Wednesday ruled out the likelihood of snap elections, stressing that such scenarios come from those "trying to avoid assuming their share of responsibility".
Commenting on statements made a day earlier by European Commissioner Olli Rehn, he underlined that "the necessary consensus for the country is a domestic issue and will not be imposed by a third party".
Petalotis said the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party will be "accountable for its actions" unless it realises that reaching a consensus and displaying a measure of responsibility toward the Greek people is a matter of national importance.
Petalotis said the prime minister is likely to invite political party leaders to a meeting to brief them on the Medium-term Stability Programme, adding that it is a standing invitation.
The government spokesman clarified that the premier, speaking in the Economist conference on Tuesday, referred to transfers and retirements of public sector employees - based on the "one hiring for every five retirements" rule - and not to layoffs when he said that the number of public sector employees will be reduced by 150,000 by the end of 2015.
"The government wishes to create a flexible state that will be to the service of the citizens," he said.
Petalotis also confirmed ANA-MPA information that the State Legal Council, following orders by Finance Minister Yiorgos Papakonstantinou, is seeking the assistance of a law firm in London to help in the amendment of the terms of the 110-billion-euro loan contract signed with the troika (IMF-EU-ECB).
He denied that the law firm in question will contribute to drawing up "Memorandum 2" because there is no such memorandum.
ANA
