The three political parties that support the Greek government yesterday gave highly conditional support for the prime minister, Lucas Papademos (photo), continue to negotiate with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cuts and reforms demanded in return for more financial aid. "Political leaders and I fully agree on the continuation of negotiations and the positions they defend," Papademos said after a meeting with George Papandreou, PASOK's social, Antonis Samaras, the conservative New Democracy, and Giorgos Karatzaferis, the ultra-nationalist LAOS.

Yesterday's meeting was intended to clarify the degree of support available to the government in its dealings with the EU and the IMF, which had been questioned by the refusal of the parties to several of the demands from Brussels. "The unity of political forces and their commitment to support the necessary changes is an essential confidence factor that increases the effectiveness of economic policy and allows us to negotiate better conditions," the prime minister in a statement. The message of cohesion was soon tempered by the challenging party coalition that supported last November's inauguration as prime minister of this nonpartisan banker.

PASOK sources told the agency NAMA its leader and former prime minister, Giorgos Papandreou, continues to reject the reduction of the minimum wage, but support the government for negotiations to be their best. Even more skeptical, the proposed LAOS consider whether the requirements of the EU are in line with the Lisbon Treaty.

For its part, New Democratic sources said the Greek media that their leader is unacceptable eliminating the extra payments and pensions. However, Samaras proposed to authorize the prime minister to continue negotiating, but every step consulting with the parties.

Papademos is meeting today in Brussels with European partners in the Summit of Heads of State and Government of member countries.

Criticism of the requirements of the EU and the IMF have raised concerns that hinder the contacts with the institutions of Greece depends receiving a loan of 130,000 million euros, agreed in October to avoid state bankruptcy. Cracks of this support demonstrated this week when Parliament refused to approve such a measure, the liberalization of pharmacies.

But more emphatic is the opposition of the three parties and trade unions and employers, the requirement to reduce the minimum wage and eliminate the bonuses in the private sector, and expanding a measure applied to officials.

In fact, Papademos himself acknowledged yesterday that negotiation is difficult, "despite the progress made, the sacrifices of the Greek people and progress in reforms." "We are seeking an agreement with our partners (Europeans) to stay on solid ground and end the uncertainty, to restore confidence and the economy can return to the path of growth and job creation," Papademos said. Another sticking point is the request by EU political leaders to agree in writing to support the austerity measures. This requirement is intended to bind the party support beyond what happens in the elections scheduled for April, which is forecast to be won by the Conservatives.