ATHENS – Greece's prime minister on Wednesday won backing for a surprise national vote on a European-funded bailout, but many say opposition to benefits cuts and foreign oversight may sink the package and prevent Europe from resolving its financial crisis.
"We will not implement any program by force, but only with the consent of the Greek people," Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said after his Cabinet approved the public referendum. "This is our democratic tradition, and we demand that it is also respected abroad."