Greeks respond to tough austerity measures

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Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has announced tough austerity measures aimed at cutting his country's soaring public debt. These include a public sector pay freeze and fuel duty increases.

Here, three people in Greece respond to the plan.

CHARIS CHRISTODOULIDIS, 24, STUDENT, THESSALONIKI

"The austerity measures have been long awaited by the Greek public.

I am sure the measures will lead to protests but protests are very common in Greece.

The austerity plan will make it more difficult to get by. But it's not as bad as we were expecting

If demonstrations are limited to the usual protests that occur in Athens and Thessaloniki, then the government will be in the clear.

The austerity plan will make it more difficult to get by. The cost of living will rise because of the rise in fuel duty but we have been expecting much worse than this.

But it's not as bad as we were expecting. We thought there would be pay cuts but instead there will be a salary freeze.

The government should tackle the black economy.

Tax evasion costs millions of euros and is widespread across several sectors from education to health and entertainment.

People would like the government to focus on this, and put pressure on the wealthy, rather than putting more stress on the middle and lower classes with indirect taxation.

We don't look on the EU supervision as a bad thing but as something to protect us. It will protect us from policies which would be good for some people but bad for the economy."

ELENI HONDROU, 38, PUBLIC SECTOR WORKER, ATHENS

"We understand this is a serious situation, but we fear extreme cuts.

Some sections of the media have blamed our sector for all of our debt problems. Maybe the public sector has got too big, but you can't blame the individuals - it's not our fault.

What really worries me is if cuts are so harsh that they suddenly destroy family budgets

We all feel nervous at the moment because there is so much uncertainty. The finance minister says cuts will be fairly distributed. But will they? What if they are extreme or disproportionate? We haven't had this sense of uncertainty in the public sector before.

I will be one of those severely affected by the announced cuts in allowances. My allowance is considered to be high and therefore the reduction in my total income will be significant.

But what really worries me is if the cuts are so harsh that they suddenly destroy family budgets, meaning people won't be able to keep up mortgage payments.

This is why there is talk of industrial action. If the unions do call a strike and the majority of my colleagues support it, I will participate. In the past governments have backed down after strikes. But this time I just don't see how the government could.

My question is: where does it stop? What will our lives look like after, say, a 30% or 40% reduction in our income? And what's the alternative where we stand right now? I'm just scared and confused like most of my colleagues."

IOANNIS LESSIS, 30, CIVIL ENGINEER, CORFU

"The reality is that extreme measures are needed for extreme situations.

Public spending has not been well focussed. Our public sector is too big. Corruption in almost every act in everyday life has crippled Greece.

People simply have not been aware of the how bad our financial problems are

Greece has been the black sheep of Europe. We need to change. Do I believe that these measures will succeed? Maybe, if the mentality of state and the people also changes.

I see things differently from many because I spent years abroad. People simply have not been aware of the how bad our financial problems are.

People will strike in reaction to these measures. But it won't make any difference because the government is determined and the plan is necessary.

The mood is gloomy here. And I think the austerity package will make things worse for our economy in the short term. But we must pass these measures to ensure our financial future even if they hurt us in the short term."