Papandreou Faces Confidence Vote That May Decide Greek Fate

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is facing a confidence vote in his government that may determine whether Greece becomes the first euro-area country to default.

The vote caps a week of turmoil for Papandreou, who fended off a revolt from his ruling socialist Pasok party in parliament last week. That came after the opposition rejected his call for a national unity government. The count, broadcast live on television, got under way in Athens after midnight local time. European Union leaders have insisted Papandreou secure multi-party support for austerity measures as a condition of the aid needed to avoid default as soon as next month. A vote on the fiscal plan is due next week.