Tens of Thousands of protesters take to Athens' streets as Greek coalition buckles
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-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-
Feb 10, 2012, 9:23:03 AM2/10/12
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Tens of Thousands of protesters take to Athens' streets as Greek coalition buckles
AFP
February 11, 2012 1:09AM
GREECE'S ruling coalition reeled today amid protest violence, with the far-right party that supports the Government rejecting tough conditions demanded by the eurozone for a debt rescue.
As the prospect of a chaotic default reapeared over the country, far-right leader George Karatzaferis said his deputies would not approve a new round of wage and pension cuts heading to a parliament vote tomorrow.
Greek unions unleashed a 48-hour strike yesterday against the new austerity measures, which are required by the European Union and the IMF in exchange for badly needed aid.
Clashes broke after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in central Athens.
"We are not going to vote," Mr Karatzaferis, leader of the small LAOS party, told a news conference, adding: "Humiliation was imposed on us. I do not tolerate this. And I do not allow it, no matter how hungry I might be."
Blasting Berlin's line on debt, Mr Karatzaferis said, "Greece must not and cannot be outside the EU. But it can do without the German boot."
Greece is running out of time to finalise additional budget cuts to secure a eurozone bailout worth 130 billion euros ($161 billion).
The country risks bankruptcy on March 20 when it must repay nearly 14.5 billion euros in maturing debt, if it does not get financial assistance.
Prime Minister Lucas Papademos summoned a cabinet meeting yesterday as clashes erupted on the sidelines of union demonstrations against the new cuts, which had caused a junior labour minister to resign on Thursday.
Television footage showed youths in hoods and motorcycle helmets breaking masonry around central Syntagma Square and throwing stones at police, who responded with bursts of tear gas. At least one person was injured.
Tens of Thousands of protesters take to Athens' streets as Greek coalition buckles
AFP
February 11, 2012 1:09AM
GREECE'S ruling coalition reeled today amid protest violence, with the far-right party that supports the Government rejecting tough conditions demanded by the eurozone for a debt rescue.
As the prospect of a chaotic default reapeared over the country, far-right leader George Karatzaferis said his deputies would not approve a new round of wage and pension cuts heading to a parliament vote tomorrow.
Greek unions unleashed a 48-hour strike yesterday against the new austerity measures, which are required by the European Union and the IMF in exchange for badly needed aid.
Clashes broke after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in central Athens.
"We are not going to vote," Mr Karatzaferis, leader of the small LAOS party, told a news conference, adding: "Humiliation was imposed on us. I do not tolerate this. And I do not allow it, no matter how hungry I might be."
Blasting Berlin's line on debt, Mr Karatzaferis said, "Greece must not and cannot be outside the EU. But it can do without the German boot."
Greece is running out of time to finalise additional budget cuts to secure a eurozone bailout worth 130 billion euros ($161 billion).
The country risks bankruptcy on March 20 when it must repay nearly 14.5 billion euros in maturing debt, if it does not get financial assistance.
Prime Minister Lucas Papademos summoned a cabinet meeting yesterday as clashes erupted on the sidelines of union demonstrations against the new cuts, which had caused a junior labour minister to resign on Thursday.
Television footage showed youths in hoods and motorcycle helmets breaking masonry around central Syntagma Square and throwing stones at police, who responded with bursts of tear gas. At least one person was injured.
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