国际英语新闻:Greek caretaker government sworn in ahead of June polls

ATHENS, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A new Greek caretaker government was sworn in on Thursday, expected to be dissolved in record time as the country heads for fresh polls in June.

Following inconclusive general elections on May 6, the ministers took their oaths in a ceremony presided by the Orthodox Christian Church Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.

For first time in Greek history, neo-Nazis enter the fragmented seven-party assembly divided between pro-bailout and anti-austerity political forces. The neo-fascist Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) MPs marched into the chamber in a military formation.

But the new government will be shortlived. According to Greek media reports, Greek President Karolos Papoulias could dissolve it with a decree as early as Friday, calling formally for a second round of elections most likely on June 17.

Addressing a cabinet meeting shortly after the swearing-in ceremonies, new Prime Minister Panayiotis Pikrammenos called for "hard work."

Members of the cabinet and parliamentarians will not be paid for their terms, Greek media reported, in a show of solidarity with ordinary Greek people suffering from deep recession.

Pikrammenos was the president of the Greek Supreme Administrative Court before he became the new prime minister.

The current political stalemate has increased fears over the economic agenda of the new administration. If Greece fails in fulfiling its pledges to European and International Monetary Fund lenders, the country could end up in a disorderly default and exit the euro zone.