Greece's new coalition government, led by Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, has secured enough votes to win a parliamentary vote of confidence, as expected.
Before the vote, Papademos said Greece needs to take bolder steps to overcome its debt crisis, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has said, and warned the country's problems would be greater if it left the single currency area.
"Dealing with Greece's problems will be more difficult if Greece is not a member of the euro zone," Papademos told parliament.
"We must take more radical measures to deal with the crisis which include ... boosting the resources and the flexibility of the EFSF and creating a stronger framework of economic governance in the euro zone."
He reiterated his demand for an explicit commitment by party leaders to the terms of a €130 billion bailout deal the country needs to avert bankruptcy.
The head of euro zone finance ministers renewed pressure on Greece today to commit itself in writing to the reforms.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said the Eurogroup would discuss before the end of November whether to disburse €8 billion from an existing €110 billion rescue programme for Greece.
"We are waiting for a letter from the Greek prime minister on the precise intentions of authorities regarding the recommendations made" at the summit, Juncker told the European parliament in Strasbourg, France.
The euro zone has held back the funds, which Greece needs by mid-December to avoid default, until Athens provides written proof that it will implement tough austerity measures and structural reforms demanded by foreign lenders.
Papademos came to power last week after a power-sharing deal between the socialist, conservative and far-right nationalist parties, with the goal of pushing through reforms.
Euro zone finance ministers are scheduled to meet on November 29 but they could hold telephone conference before then. Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said last week he hoped the Eurogroup could release the funds on November 17.
