Following earlier confirmation by government sources, last week's telephone call between Prime Minister George Papandreou and main opposition leader Antonis Samaras was also confirmed by government spokesman Yiorgos Petalotis on Monday.

Petalotis said the prime minister had called Samaras the previous Wednesday in order to be briefed about the main opposition's proposals in its 'Zappeion II' economic policy platform.

Papandreou had asked the main opposition leader for national consensus on the vote for the Medium-term Fiscal Programme, he added.

"The necessary consensus is not clinched with one phone call," Petalotis said, noting that actions were needed and that the electorate would not forgive "petty party-political tactics and practices for party benefits".

He denied rumours that the EU-IMF troika had asked that the Medium-Term Fiscal Programme be passed with an enhanced majority of 180 votes, saying that it would be voted on using the standard Parliamentary procedure.