ATHENS, Greece – Greece appointed senior banker Lucas Papademos prime minister Thursday of an interim unity government that will seek to cement a European debt deal and stave off national bankruptcy.
Chosen after four tortuous days of power-sharing talks, Papademos immediately called for unity and promised to seek cross-party cooperation to keep Greece firmly in the 17-nation eurozone.
The 64-year-old former vice president of the European Central Bank will lead a government backed by both the governing Socialists and the opposition conservatives that will operate until early elections, tentatively set for February. He replaces outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou midway through his four-year term.
The new Greek cabinet, whose members were not named, will be sworn in Friday. (AP)
