Greece general strike: Unions act amid cuts debate
 

Trade unions in Greece have begun a 48-hour general strike, hours after PM George Papandreou urged parliament to back an austerity package.

Huge crowds of protesters are expected on the streets of Athens, while public transport is set to grind to a halt.

On Monday, Mr Papandreou said only his 28bn-euro (£25bn) austerity programme would get Greece back on its feet.

If the government loses, the EU and IMF could withhold 12bn euros of loans and Greece could run out of money in weeks.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said French banks are ready to offer new 30-year loans to Greece when its current debts fall due.

He said other European countries whose banks had lent money to Greece were considering the same model to help prevent a default. But the UK denied it was pressing banks to "take a haircut".

'Massacre'

More than 5,000 police officers are due to be deployed in the centre of Athens on Tuesday morning, when tens of thousands of striking workers are expected to march towards parliament at 1000 (0700 GMT).

The general strike will disrupt or halt most public services, with doctors, ambulance drivers, journalists and even state-funded actors taking part.

Airports will be shut for hours at a time, with air traffic controllers walking out between 0800 and 1200 (0500-0900 GMT) and 1800 and 2200 (1500-1900 GMT). Ferries, buses and trains will also stop running.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13935400

Note: 28 June 2011 Last updated at 00:27 GMT

I think the Greeks are about to get a cold dose of reality.

Like, welcome to reality :yep:

Wow, they are really trying to convince the rest of Europe of their character. Sounds like a real solid investment to loan money to people like these :yeah:.

Their previous politics driven, the country into the ground :nope:

I know. It's never the fault of the individual person, neither am I saying that the Greek as people are bad. But I simply can't fathom this. There are bad politics and bad politicians anywhere, yet not everywhere the solution is strikes and violent rioting.

What are they gaining with this? Their government so far is still going with austerity programme and at least in my uneducated foreigner's eyes they have made complete fools of themselves. I initially liked the idea of supporting them when the first package was discussed, was somewhat reserved but still mostly positive when the idea of second package was revealed but now...now I couldn't really care less, as long as it's not my money going there. And as a matter of fact, it is most likely going to be.

Greece has certainly always benefit from the euro since 2002, and received loans here and there, but the government has not taken, the hangover, this has been for the country, and what other countries within the Union, will have to pay .... stuff like that,can suck hard.

Like trying to douse a fire by dousing it with petrol.

not too cut on you jimbuna, it's gasoline on a house fire feel free too use it anytime like, a bandaid on a gun shot wound, looks like death suckin on a lifesaver.

Let them go under and live with it.

My daughter is going there on holiday next month...I might give 2 or 3 grand and have her buy me a holiday villa with a pool :DL

Ha,Ha great price :DL

Must have four bedrooms and a kebab maker on the rear patio.

Greece protest against austerity package turns violent
 

Police have fired tear gas in running battles with stone-throwing youths in Athens, where a 48-hour general strike is being held against a parliamentary vote on tough austerity measures.

Thousands of protesters have gathered outside parliament in the capital where public transport has ground to a halt.

PM George Papandreou has said that only his 28bn-euro (£25bn) austerity plan would get Greece back on its feet.

If the package is not approved, Greece could run out of money within weeks.

Without a new plan in place, the EU and IMF say they will withhold 12bn euros of loans which Greece needs to repay debts due in mid-July.

'Declared war'

More than 5,000 police officers were deployed in the centre of Athens as the protesters marched towards parliament.

The rally started peacefully, but escalated into running skirmishes on the fringes of the main demonstration.

Hundreds of protesters with faces covered by scarves or gas-masks started throwing stones, debris and bottles at the police in one corner of the central Syntagma Square.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to keep them back.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13935400


Note: Update Record, 28 June 2011 Last updated at 17:05 GMT

I don't know what to think about this whole deal.

Another victim of communism?:hmmm: