Friday, February 10, 2012

Clashes in Athens, PM warns of default


Greek protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Athens on February 9, 2012

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/226043.html

Clashes between riot police and anti-austerity protesters have broken out in front of the Greek parliament as the country’s prime minister warned of “uncontrolled chaos” if Athens did not accept a new bailout.

Shortly after Friday night’s clashes, the Greek cabinet unanimously approved a EU-IMF debt deal in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“A disorderly default would plunge our country into a disastrous adventure,” Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said on Friday, shortly after six members of the government announced their resignation in protest against further austerity cuts as demanded by the troika of the European Union, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary fund.

“At this time there comes a need to do whatever is required in order for the new economic program to be approved and for the new bailout agreement to proceed. Any other development would be catastrophic,” Papademos said, adding that “whoever disagrees and does not vote for the new program cannot remain in the government.”

In the clashes in front of the parliament building in central Athens, police officers in riot gear fired tear gas at protesters, who responded with petrol bombs, bottles, and stones.

Three protesters were arrested and ten people were injured.

Amongst the cuts demanded by the troika, which sparked the recent unrest, are a 20-percent reduction in the minimum wage, 150,000 civil service redundancies, and a 15-percent cut in supplementary pensions.

The country implemented harsh austerity measures in return for the first bailout, a 110-billion-euro package it received in 2010.

Despite the austerity cuts and the bailout funds, which are meant to stimulate growth for the troubled Greek economy, the country has been in recession since 2009.

Greeks have come out onto the streets for anti-government demonstrations on numerous occasions since the austerity cuts began in early 2011. Many of the demos turned violent, leaving scores of protesters injured.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for commenting on this post. Please consider sharing it on Facebook or Twitter for a wider discussion.

Russian / Ukraine War - (Mar 08th, 2024)

How the Ukraine War Changed the World - (Mar 01st, 2024)

Redacted - Egypt's betrayal of Palestine - Vanessa Beeley

CrossTalk | Magical thinking - (Feb 28th, 2024)

Hillary Clinton Interrupted & Called Out in Berlin

We don’t want war with Israel, but if they impose it on us, we are ready – Hezbollah

ICJ delivers ruling in favour of South Africa

ICJ ruling | Court stops short of ordering Gaza ceasefire, demands that Israel prevent genocide

South Africa's Closing Argument Against Israel for Genocide at the ICJ

Wider Middle East war. US, UK strike Yemen

U.S., UK Start Another Unwinnable War In Yemen

Geopolitical Storm Brewing from Palestine to Ukraine

How the US Global Order is Challenged - With Pepe Escobar (Nov 20, 2023)

Shahid Bolsen - Message to the Israeli people

Roger Waters - To Whom It May Concern: Please Stop.

US policy slowing down China's economy w/ Jeffrey Sachs

Max Blumenthal s destroys RFKJr's outrageous Israelí Propaganda

Totalitarianism, Censorship and Syria with Peter Lavelle, Vanessa Beeley & Kevork Almassian

Putin shows treaty on Ukraine’s neutrality, signed by Kiev but dumped under Western pressure

Assad's speech at the Arab League Summit - what it means for the future of the region

Assad returns to Arab League

HUGE China brokered deal, Iran & Saudi Arabia restore diplomatic ties

Nord Stream pipeline & sabotaging peace w/Jeffrey Sachs

The Tragedy of Ukraine

Historical Events that Led to the Start of the Ukraine Conflict

Your Wars Will Destroy the Planet - Roger Waters

Healthy Athletes suffer Heart Problems After Getting the Jab