In response to a call by Prime Minister George Papandreou, the main Greek opposition leader Antonis Samaras accepted a meeting later on Sunday evening hosted by the President Karolos Papoulias to discuss a new coalition government.
During a cabinet meeting, Papandreou announced that he "contacted the President and asked him to host a meeting with Samaras to seek the possibility of common understanding," said a statement released by the his press office.
"The government will deliver authority to a new government of wider consensus in which I do not wish to lead," said Papandreou.
Local media said this has indicated his willingness to step down, paving the way for the formation of a national unity government to continue efforts to avert a default of the country.