Merkel advises Greek referendum on euro membership

Athens, May 19 (IANS) German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested to Greek President Karolos Papoulias to hold a referendum on the country's membership in the Eurozone during parliamentary polls, RIA Novosti reported.

According to Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tsiodras, Merkel in a telephone conversation with Greek president advised him to hold a referendum on the country's membership in the Eurozone during parliamentary elections to be held June 17.

The decision on the new polls came after no party was left with a majority in parliament following the May 6 elections as voters turned their backs on established parties over the country's financial crisis. Nine-days of power-sharing talks proved unsuccessful.

Greece is expected to introduce more unpopular austerity measures next month to meet targets agreed on its bailout deal with other Eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund.