ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s prime minister says he would consider holding a referendum on austerity measures essential for the country to continue drawing on funds from an international bailout.

In comments made during a marathon informal Cabinet meeting, George Papandreou said today he had asked the interior minister to set up the necessary legal conditions that would allow such a move “when it is needed.”

Papandreou told his ministers he is prepared “even to use the institution of a referendum for the broadest possible consent or opinion as foreseen by the constitution.”

The prime minister has been facing dissent from within his own governing Socialist party over extra austerity measures that need to be taken.