Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. November 03, 2011 Greek Opposition Leader Calls for Transition Government VOA News Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (C) leads an urgent cabinet meeting in the Greek parliament in Athens November 3, 2011 Photo: REUTERS Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou (C) leads an urgent cabinet meeting in the Greek parliament in Athens November 3, 2011 A Greek opposition leader is calling for creation of a transition government to prepare for early elections, rather than allow Prime Minister George Papandreou to hold a nationwide vote on a European Union bailout package for the country. Antonis Samaras said Thursday that the sole purpose of the transitional government would be to conduct elections immediately and validate the bailout deal agreed to by European leaders last week. He spoke on the eve of a parliamentary vote of confidence. Leader of Greek conservative New Democracy party Antonis Samaras delivers a speech to his parliamentarians inside the parliament in Athens November 2, 2011 REUTERS Leader of Greek conservative New Democracy party Antonis Samaras delivers a speech to his parliamentarians inside the parliament in Athens November 2, 2011 Speaking in Greek, Samaras said, "I ask for the formation of a temporary transitional government, whose sole purpose would be to immediately conduct elections, and the validation of the EU bailout agreement from parliament. The new bailout agreement must not be delayed by Greece or Europe. And the 6th loan disbursement has to be released so that elections can take place under stable conditions so that the people will be able to express themselves freely." Papandreou called for the referendum and the vote of confidence in order to help quell public backlash against deeply unpopular austerity measures that are part of the bailout package. He held an emergency Cabinet meeting on Thursday, as lawmakers in his ruling Socialist party threatened to abandon his government over his controversial referendum plan. Analysts question whether Papandreou can survive until Friday's vote of confidence. At least one member of the ruling PASOK party, lawmaker Eva Kaili, says she will not support him in the vote, leaving the prime minister with only a one-seat majority in the 300-member parliament. Another socialist lawmaker, Dimitris Lintzeris, said Thursday that Mr. Papandreou is "history," and called for a national unity government to be formed. Earlier Thursday, Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos broke ranks with Papandreou on the referendum proposal, saying Greece's "historic" status in the eurozone should not be determined by a popular vote. Other Greek Cabinet ministers have previously given their support for the referendum plan. Papandreou, who has faced enormous international opposition to the plan, said on Wednesday that Greece's future in the eurozone is at stake in the vote, but he said he is confident that the citizens of Greece will choose to remain in the eurozone. Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks to the media after crisis talks on the eve of a G20 summit of major world economies in Cannes, November 2, 2011 REUTERS Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks to the media after crisis talks on the eve of a G20 summit of major world economies in Cannes, November 2, 2011 European leaders have warned Greece that if it does not follow the terms of the bailout package, it will get no more EU funding. On the street, some Greek citizens say they want the euro, but they fear future hardships. "I believe we must stay in the euro even though the European Union is not a saint. It followed a policy that was in the interest of the large political powers and that is why Greece is having problems, but I believe it provides a support for the country," said university student Christos. "I prefer we stay in the euro because we will be destroyed otherwise. They are trying to destroy us but I hope they don't succeed. I think they [the government] should go home," said Greek citizen Amalia Pestika. "There is no other solution. Is there any other solution than the euro? When we will be paying for gas in drachmas what will we do? They [the government] have no idea what they are doing unfortunately,'' said another citizen, Despoina Goltsou. "Greece must stay in the euro, but Papandreou must resign," another person said. "Since we entered the European Union, I see that instead of having a better life, things are getting worse and I don't know where we will end up. There are many vested interests outside and inside Greece, and I don't know how this will end. I don't know from now on what is best for us,'' said a frustrated Spiros Stelatos. .