Greek PM Hints Third Bailout May Be Needed

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has raised the possibility that Greece may need a third international financial bailout.

In an inteview with the Italian daily "Il Sole 24 ORE," published on March 30, Papademos pledged that Greece will do everything to avoid a third bailout -- but he said "it cannot be excluded that some financial support may be necessary."

A second, 130 billion-euro ($173 billion) bailout for Greece was approved by eurozone nations this month.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also backed a new 28 billion-euro loan for the country.

Greece received its first EU-IMF bailout of 110 billion euros in 2010.

Papademos came to power last year as the head of a caretaker coalition government.

Early elections in Greece are expected in late April or early May.

Based on reporting by AFP and RFE/RL