While Lucas Papademos is the candidate most widely tipped to succeed George Papandreou as the prime minister, the Athens News has learned that three candidates were discussed by Prime Minister George Papandreou and New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras as potential leaders of the interim government.

According to people familiar with the discussions at the meeting between the two leaders, which took place on November 7 in the presence of President Karolos Papoulias, Papandreou first suggested that Lucas Papademos, former European Central Bank vice-president and former governor of the Bank of Greece, should head the new government.

As an alternative, the Pasok leader proposed Nikiforos Diamandouros, a professor of political science who was appointed European Ombudsman in 2003.

Samaras’ proposal was Stavros Dimas, one of his party’s two vice-presidents. Dimas served as European commissioner for the environment from 2004 to 2009.

As all three candidates have occupied top positions in the European Union, they would be considered as credible partners by their EU peers.

Although the meeting ended without a final decision being made, Papademos is expected to be recommended by both leaders at a follow-up meeting tomorrow to lead the country for the next few months and, then, to call an election.