ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s prime minister abandons his explosive plan to put a European rescue deal to a popular vote and opens emergency talks with his opponents, who demand his resignation but appear suddenly ready to swallow austerity to avoid a chaotic default.
The dramatic developments overshadow a summit of world leaders, and push the Italian government closer toward collapse.
The respected conservative daily Kathimerini described him Thursday as the “fatal prime minister.”
“The prime minister has lost credibility in Greece and abroad,” the newspaper said. “With humiliating consequences for himself and his country, Mr. Papandreou chose to the roll the dice — and he lost.”