781.00/5–1251: Telegram
The Chargé in Greece ( Yost ) to the Department of State
3884. PriMin has issued statement effect there is no reason hold new elections unless agreement can be reached on some modification electoral system which will bring about stable govt with substantial majority.1 Meeting party leaders being held next week attempt reach agreement on system.
Venizelos and EPEK leader inform us they favor variant of proportional system which wld grant to three parties receiving largest popular vote all parliamentary seats not alloted in first distribution. These three parties wld presumably be Liberal, EPEK and Populists and Venizelos is confident support these parties will ensure adoption this system. Papandreou in own interest supports straight proportional system or modification thereof favoring four rather than three main parties. Others oppose latter suggestion, and we believe rightly, on grounds fourth party might be extreme left. In order reconcile Papandreou, Venizelos has proposed their two parties merge. This wld be in line our objective reducing number parties and we are informing two leaders proposal seems sensible to us, but there is serious doubt Papandreou will consent to play second fiddle to Venizelos unless convinced his own electoral chances are very poor.
Venizelos has stated publicly he has no objection holding elections in July if other parties desire shorten electoral period. Present plans remain however recall Parliament late in June pass on budget and electoral system and hold elections late Aug or early Sept. There is still some talk service govt to hold elections, but King informs us he favors keeping present govt in order avoid unnecessary changes and we expressed hearty agreement.
There continues be fair prospect Liberals and EPEK might merge after elections with leader of party receiving larger vote becoming PriMin. In any case two parties plan if they win election to form govt with or without Papandreou. Palace continues adamant opposition Plastiras as PriMin though EPEK leaders including Gen were invited to Palace reception yesterday and talked at length with King. Palace still endeavoring detach Tsouderos from EPEK but he informs us he believes he can be more useful remaining with party fortifying its orientation to center and guiding it toward merger or coalition with libs. …
Efforts of Populists absorb smaller rightist parties also continuing but no significant progress as yet.
- See footnote 3, supra.↩