"The choices we make will be decisive for the Greek people," he said, adding that the euro was vital for prosperity.

Debt-laden Greece must quickly approve a EU bailout to secure vital loans.

Mr Papademos, a former European Central Bank vice-president, was named on November 10 after protracted talks. His cabinet is to be sworn in on November 11.

Mr Papademos, who is not a member of parliament, will head the interim government until elections can take place in February.

He will clearly have strong European support given his past experience – but there will be some Greeks who see Europe’s hand a little too clearly behind his appointment.

Reports say he has accepted that the current Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, remains in place. The exact make-up of the new coalition government is yet to be agreed.