Greece defies euro zone on pension, labor reform

[Little Tich]

Source: Reuters

Greece defied its international creditors on Thursday, refusing to cut pensions or ease layoffs to meet their demands, dimming prospects of progress next week towards securing desperately needed financial aid.

Despite efforts by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to coax leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras into moving on two key conditions for releasing EU/IMF bailout funds, a Greek government spokesman said lenders could not expect Athens to make all the concessions.

"There should not be an expectation on the part of institutions ... that the government will back down on everything," Gabriel Sakellaridis told a news conference. "When you negotiate, there should be mutual concessions.

"We won't go beyond the limits of our red lines," he said. "It's clear that we cannot cut pensions."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/07/us-eurozone-greece-idUSKBN0NS1E220150507

[yeoman6987]

1. Greece should go it alone. Why be under the thumb of the EU

Work on the country finances yourself and you will be better off. Greece leave the EU for your own sanity and survival.

[The2ndWheel]

3. Pro-secession

Usually it's all about the larger governing body in the majority of posts here.

[blackspade]

2. Excellent