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EU’s Moscovici in Greece ahead of key vote

EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici, right, arrives for talks with Greece's conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, left, at his official residence in central Athens on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. Moscovici is on a two-day visit to Athens, despite delayed negotiations between Greece and bailout lenders, ahead of voting that starts in parliament this week for a new Greek president, that is threatening to topple the government by the end of the month. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici, right, arrives for talks with Greece's conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, left, at his official residence in central Athens on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. Moscovici is on a two-day visit to Athens, despite delayed negotiations between Greece and bailout lenders, ahead of voting that starts in parliament this week for a new Greek president, that is threatening to topple the government by the end of the month. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

By Associated Press December 15, 2014 1 min read

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – The European Union’s top finance official is visiting Athens ahead of a parliamentary vote that could topple Greece’s pro-bailout government this month.

EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici met conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras Monday at the start of a two-day visit that went ahead despite delayed negotiations between Greece and bailout creditors.

Greek lawmakers will start voting Wednesday for a new Greek president, in a ballot likely to last three rounds through Dec. 29. Samaras could be forced to call an early general election if he fails to attract enough support from the opposition for a government-backed candidate.

The political uncertainty has rattled Greek markets as investors fret over the country’s place in the 18-country eurozone.

A spokeswoman for the EU Commission said Greek membership remained “the only viable solution.”