This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8032705.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bribes-vote pressure on Greek PM Greek PM reprieved by bribe vote
(about 7 hours later)
Greek MPs are to vote on whether a colleague must face a corruption trial - a move that would pile pressure on a government with a razor-thin majority. The Greek parliament has voted against indicting an MP from the governing party, in a corruption probe that could have triggered early elections.
Aristotle Pavlides, a former minister, is alleged to have solicited bribes in return for granting shipping contracts. Aristotle Pavlides, a former minister, was alleged to have solicited bribes in return for granting shipping contracts.
Defeat in the vote might force the governing New Democracy party, which holds 151 of parliament's 300 seats, into an early election. His opponents were five votes short of the 151 needed in Greece's 300 seat parliament to indict him. But not all his party colleagues supported him.
Mr Pavlides denies any wrongdoing and has refused to resign his seat.Mr Pavlides denies any wrongdoing and has refused to resign his seat.
He would not be forced to step down even if MPs vote to send him for trial - but Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis would face intense pressure to sack him from the centre-right New Democracy party, leaving it with 150 seats. He would not have been forced to step down had MPs vote to send him for trial.
All opposition parties have urged MPs to vote against Mr Pavlides. The government has backed him but correspondents say it fears some of its members will break ranks. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis would have faced intense pressure to sack him from the centre-right New Democracy party, leaving it with 150 seats.
Members of the governing party did break ranks, and only 144 deputies voted in favour of Mr Pavlides.
There were 8 blanks ballots. Opposition parties votes against him totalled 146.
Popularity dentedPopularity dented
It is the latest corruption scandal to hit the government.It is the latest corruption scandal to hit the government.
In October two ministers resigned after it emerged that state land was given to a monastery on Mount Athos, in return for much less valuable land.In October two ministers resigned after it emerged that state land was given to a monastery on Mount Athos, in return for much less valuable land.
Previously, a labour minister quit after employing uninsured immigrants, and his predecessor was forced out amid a bond-trading scandal.Previously, a labour minister quit after employing uninsured immigrants, and his predecessor was forced out amid a bond-trading scandal.
The government's popularity has also been badly dented by the financial crisis, and the shooting by police of a teenaged boy that triggered riots in December.The government's popularity has also been badly dented by the financial crisis, and the shooting by police of a teenaged boy that triggered riots in December.
If forced to call a general election to coincide with European elections next month, New Democracy would face a strong challenge from the socialist PASOK party, which is ahead in the polls. Opinion polls suggest the ruling New Democracy party faces a strong challenge from the socialist Pasok party in the European parliament elections in June.