ATHENS (MNI) – Over 100,000 Greek workers demonstrated Wednesday at
the centre of Athens outside the Parliament, protesting against the new
multi-year austerity program that will be tabled for voting on Thursday.

The crowd, which was increasing in size by the hour at
mid-afternoon, is seen as the largest since the Greek government
introduced the first austerity package in May 2010.

Workers’ unions of the public and private sectors announced a
massive 48-hour general strike that began today in response to the new
austerity plan, which envisions deep public sector pay cuts and layoffs,
another round of salary and pension reductions and new tax hikes that
mainly affect middle- and lower-income workers.

The government ordered more than 20,000 policemen to patrol the
demonstrations and thwart any attempt at violence. However, the police
force yesterday staged its own demonstration, protesting against wage
cuts.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou attempted to appeal for
support from the Greeks, stating that these were tough times of great
uncertainty. However, his popularity has taken a dive the past few
months, as Greeks increasingly believe that the massive austerity
measures taken the past two years have not produced any results.

Ruling socialist party PASOK has a narrow four-seat majority in
Parliament and is expected to pass tomorrow’s austerity bill in order to
secure the E8 billion constituting the sixth loan tranche.

But the ruling party took a hit Monday as another member, Thomas
Rombopoulos, resigned, claiming he could not “participate in a
parliament that has no rights to decide.” His seat was taken by a party
runner-up who is expected to vote in favour of the bill.

PASOK won the 2009 elections with a 160 majority, but since then,
six of its members have become independent lawmakers over disagreement
with the economic policy of the government.

This Sunday, EU leaders are gathering in Brussels to decide how to
deal with the ongoing debt crisis. It is expected that the Greek
situation will also be discussed as the EU heads are currently mulling a
haircut of the Greek debt.

Greek finance minister Evangelos Venizelos has already watered down
expectations for the outcome of the Summit. Speaking to reporters
yesterday, he said that the situation was very uncertain and that the
real negotiations would begin today.

a_papamiltiadou@hotmail.com

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