Protests as Greek parliament votes on hefty cuts

[maddezmom]

Source: BBC

Crowds are protesting outside Greece's parliament as a vote is held on the hefty cuts and reforms proposed to address the country's financial crisis.

It comes a day after three bank workers died in a petrol bomb attack as demonstrations over the planned austerity measures turned violent.

The deaths have shocked many in Greece. Bank workers have gone on strike in anger at the loss of their colleagues.

Prime Minister George Papandreou said "violence was not a solution".

"The future of Greece is at stake. The economy, democracy and social cohesion are being put to the test," he said in parliament ahead of the vote.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8664161.stm

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Greek parliament passes austerity package


The Greek parliament in Athens on Thursday voted in favor of an unprecedented austerity package to fight the country's crippling national debt.

The strict new measures, which include new taxes and cuts to wages and pensions are expected to save the government 30 billion euros ($38.3 million).


more: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5543120,00.html

[UndertheOcean]

1. Want to join the EU , have to deal with EU policies . Maybe Greece was better off remaining a

2nd tier country. Not a banana republic totally , but close.

[DemReadingDU]

2. Live webcast link

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/nyheter/utrikes/article7086788.ab

[Turbineguy]

3. I suspect that the EU

will look at this situation during the next year or so and make an exemption to the 3 percent rule to help. In the end the Greeks will have to grow the economy to overcome this.

Hopefully there will be a closer examination into how and who was advising the government on cooking their books.