Greek PM wins cabinet backing for referendum

(Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou fought off a barrage of criticism to win the backing of his cabinet Wednesday to push ahead with a referendum the government said would take place as soon as possible on a European Union debt bailout deal.

Some of his party lawmakers called for him to quit for jeopardizing Greek euro membership with his shock decision to call a popular vote, a move that pummeled the euro and global stocks, but the cabinet support at least gives him a stay of execution before a confidence vote in parliament Friday.

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