Eurozone keeps heat on Greece, holds back aid

As Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou scrambles to form a coalition government, the eurozone is holding back the next slice of aid, eight billion euros (USD 11 billion), until rival parties back a new eurozone rescue package.

"We are still at the same point. The Greeks must prove that they will really fulfill the conditions" to receive more bailout money, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme told RTBF television.

Finance ministers meet after a turbulent few days during which Papandreou barely survived a confidence vote in Athens and angered his European partners with a now defunct bid to hold a referendum on the bailout deal.

The drama in Athens broke a taboo as European leaders lost their patience, telling Papandreou his country must choose between leaving or staying in the eurozone.

The political brinkmanship overshadowed a G20 summit in Cannes, France, at which world leaders failed to garner international aid for Europe while Italy accepted the embarrassment of being put under IMF supervision.

EU president Herman Van Rompuy said Greece had made "enormous efforts" so far, "but for us to continue to show our solidarity through financial aid, the parliament must approve the new plan" agreed at a eurozone summit last month.

He urged Greece, after the G20 summit on Friday, to "rapidly recreate a climate of political stability."

"We call on all political forces to contribute to finding a national consensus because the stakes are fundamental and existential for Greece," Van Rompuy said.

Feuding Greek politicians held a second day of talks today with opposition leader Antonis Samaras saying a coalition deal was possible if Papandreou, a socialist, resigns.

The eurozone finance ministers "will certainly reiterate their desire to see all the main parties subscribe to the adjustment programme," said a European government source.

The ministers had agreed two weeks ago to release eight billion euros in loans, part of a 110-billion-euro bailout from last May. Greece needs the cash by mid-December to avoid a disastrous default.

But the installment is on ice until Athens endorses a new rescue package approved at an October 27 summit. In return for 230 billion euros in new loans and voluntary bond losses by banks, Greece must undergo strict austerity.