This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8533240.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Greece steeled for 24-hour strike | Greece steeled for 24-hour strike |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| As many as two million people in Greece are to hold a 24-hour strike against the imposition of austerity measures. | As many as two million people in Greece are to hold a 24-hour strike against the imposition of austerity measures. |
| More than half-a-million civil servants are set to abandon their posts. | More than half-a-million civil servants are set to abandon their posts. |
| It is the second general strike in two weeks and coincides with growing anger in Greece over the way the European Union has responded to the crisis. | It is the second general strike in two weeks and coincides with growing anger in Greece over the way the European Union has responded to the crisis. |
| The action is set to be the biggest since Greece's socialist government introduced cuts to bring the country's debt and deficit under control. | The action is set to be the biggest since Greece's socialist government introduced cuts to bring the country's debt and deficit under control. |
| Greece currently has a public deficit - the difference between what the government spends and the funds it receives though taxation and other measures - of 12.7%. | Greece currently has a public deficit - the difference between what the government spends and the funds it receives though taxation and other measures - of 12.7%. |
| This is more than four times higher than eurozone rules allow, and Athens has pledged to reduce this to 8.7% this year under an austerity plan that involves major cuts in public spending. | This is more than four times higher than eurozone rules allow, and Athens has pledged to reduce this to 8.7% this year under an austerity plan that involves major cuts in public spending. |
| At the same time it is trying to reduce the 300bn euros ($419bn; £259bn) total national debt. | At the same time it is trying to reduce the 300bn euros ($419bn; £259bn) total national debt. |
| Under the government's deficit reduction plans, it aims to freeze public sector salaries, raise the retirement age to 63 by 2015, and increase taxes on petrol, alcohol and tobacco. | Under the government's deficit reduction plans, it aims to freeze public sector salaries, raise the retirement age to 63 by 2015, and increase taxes on petrol, alcohol and tobacco. |
| Acropolis closed | Acropolis closed |
| For the second time this month, Greek air space will be shut down and the country will be isolated from the rest of the world for 24 hours. | For the second time this month, Greek air space will be shut down and the country will be isolated from the rest of the world for 24 hours. |
| The credit rating cuts came after unions blockaded the main stock exchange | The credit rating cuts came after unions blockaded the main stock exchange |
| Archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, will be closed to tourists, chipping away at the country's international image. | Archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, will be closed to tourists, chipping away at the country's international image. |
| One million members of the GSEE, the main private sector union, are also expected to obey the strike call. | One million members of the GSEE, the main private sector union, are also expected to obey the strike call. |
| GSEE spokeswoman Zoe Lanara said the cuts were misguided, because they were more likely to generate collapse than recovery. | GSEE spokeswoman Zoe Lanara said the cuts were misguided, because they were more likely to generate collapse than recovery. |
| Despite the protests, it looks like government will be forced to implement even tougher measures to meet Europe's demands. | Despite the protests, it looks like government will be forced to implement even tougher measures to meet Europe's demands. |
| On Tuesday, the credit ratings of Greece's four largest banks were downgraded by ratings agency Fitch, a move that may worsen the country's financial woes. | On Tuesday, the credit ratings of Greece's four largest banks were downgraded by ratings agency Fitch, a move that may worsen the country's financial woes. |
| Analysts said the move would make it more expensive for the banks to borrow funds, and the government to get loans. | Analysts said the move would make it more expensive for the banks to borrow funds, and the government to get loans. |
| Greece is due to report back to fellow eurozone nations next month on how well its efforts are progressing. | Greece is due to report back to fellow eurozone nations next month on how well its efforts are progressing. |
| Finance ministers from the other 15 nations that share the single currency have warned that the Greek government may have to adopt further measures if the ones currently being enforced are not shown to be working fast enough. | Finance ministers from the other 15 nations that share the single currency have warned that the Greek government may have to adopt further measures if the ones currently being enforced are not shown to be working fast enough. |
| At the weekend, Greece's Prime Minister, George Papandreou, told the BBC that Greece was not looking for a financial bail-out from other European countries. | At the weekend, Greece's Prime Minister, George Papandreou, told the BBC that Greece was not looking for a financial bail-out from other European countries. |
| He said that Greece was instead looking for political support from across Europe to enable it to borrow money at the same interest rates as other countries. | He said that Greece was instead looking for political support from across Europe to enable it to borrow money at the same interest rates as other countries. |
| Are you in Greece? What is your reaction to the strike? Are you striking? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: | |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |