Several newspapers on Sunday carried statements by top ministers and high-ranking opposition cadres on the latest political developments in the country.

Health Minister Andreas Loverdos, in an interview with the weekly "Proto Thema", criticised the attitude of certain political parties and the "indignant citizens" movement, who he charged promote "irresponsible demagoguery, blind violence and abuse". He said such an attitude could lead the country to "elections of responsibility".

The top Pasok minister mentioned that regardless of whether snap elections are held or not, a government of national unity remains an open prospect.

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party Parliamentary rapporteur and former minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis told the weekly "Realnews" that elections are the only solution for the country.

"There can be no solution with the present (government) reasoning, which indiscriminately does whatever the (EC-ECB-IMF) troika tells us to do in the economy," he said.

Conversely, Defence Minister Panos Beglitis, in an interview with the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", expressed his absolute disagreement with the prospect of snap elections.

"Under the present conditions early recourse to elections would deepen the crisis and (add to) political instability," he said, saying that one of the causes of the crisis is a decades-old inability by the state to tackle tax evasion in the country.

In an unrelated development, Beglitis did not rule out an increase in the length of obligatory military service, "we're examining figures, the needs and the vacancies that exist. Decisions will be taken at a more convenient time."

Finally, ND deputy and former minister Costis Hatzidakis, in an interview with the same newspaper, did not rule out cooperation between Pasok-ND, if the latter does not form a self-sufficient government in whatever future elections.

"The mainstream parties before elections seek self-sufficiency everywhere. ND has the opinion polls on its side. But, regardless of the result, national consensus is always an imperative necessity..." he said.