(Newser)
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It may not be an encouraging sign for Greece's financial affairs, but the country's brand-new finance minister is resigning, Bloomberg reports. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras accepted Vassilis Rapanos' resignation today, according to a text message from the premier’s office. Rapanos had just been named the new minister last week, but was hospitalized Friday after collapsing. The AP reports that he's still in the hospital with abdominal pain, dizziness, and nausea, but will be released tomorrow.
Given that Samaras himself was just released from the hospital today following eye surgery and will miss this week's EU summit, Germany is working to lower expectations that the summit will make much progress on Greece. Outgoing Finance Minister Giorgos Zanias will attend; he technically still holds the position since Rapanos was not sworn in before becoming ill.
