New Democracy spokesman Yannis Michelakis said the party could agree to an extension under certain circumstances but said that elections would have to be held at the latest by Greek Orthodox Easter, which falls on April 15.

"Any change to the agreed February 19 deadline depends on the debt swap talks," Michelakis told radio station Vima.

The election date had been scheduled before Papademos was appointed last month but a crowded reform agenda has piled pressure on the government to put back the date. EU analysts believe even the April deadline will be rescheduled for sometime in the summer.

Political deadlock over the timing of the election has also complicated efforts to reach an accord on a 130 billion euro bailout plan that includes a crucial bond swap arrangement with private sector creditors.

Papademos, a former central banker appointed to secure the bailout agreement, is racing to complete tax, pension and justice reforms demanded by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, debt-laden Greece's lenders.

New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras, who is leading in the opinion polls, softened his stance after meeting Papademos on Friday but is less willing than other members of the caretaker coalition to extend the deadline further.

The Socialist PASOK and the far-right LAOS parties, both also in the government backing Papademos, have already said the prime minister should be given more time to complete his task.

"We would have no objections if elections were held even after Easter," PASOK spokesman Panos Beglitis told reporters on Tuesday after a 90-minute meeting between Papademos and Socialist leader George Papandreou.

Papandreou's Socialists handed over power to Papademos last month, after PASOK deputies refused to bear sole responsibility for sweeping austerity measures demanded by the EU and IMF.

PASOK's opinion poll ratings have collapsed in recent months and Papandreou may face a leadership challenge in a party meeting later on Tuesday.

The timing of an election has been closely watched as negotiations have continued between the government and banks over a deal in which private sector lenders would accept a nominal 50 percent cut on their holdings of Greek bonds in return for a mix of cash and new bonds.

The arrangement is intended to cut Greece's debt by 100 billion euros, allowing it to bring its debt from 160 percent of gross domestic product to a still huge but more manageable 120 percent by 2020.