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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Greece braced for mass protests | Greece braced for mass protests |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thousands of Greek demonstrators are gathering in Athens for a rally called by trade unions and left-wing parties against government austerity plans. | |
| Union leaders hope the May Day protests will highlight Greek resistance to the wage cuts, tax rises and pension reductions expected to be implemented. | |
| Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has warned of a period of hardship. | Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has warned of a period of hardship. |
| He will give details of cuts once plans are finalised for a bail-out by the EU and International Monetary Fund. | He will give details of cuts once plans are finalised for a bail-out by the EU and International Monetary Fund. |
| The European Commission said it expected the leaders of the 15 other countries using the euro to approve a package on Sunday. | The European Commission said it expected the leaders of the 15 other countries using the euro to approve a package on Sunday. |
| The Greek government says it needs a loan deal by 19 May to avoid a devastating debt default. | The Greek government says it needs a loan deal by 19 May to avoid a devastating debt default. |
| 'Unpopular measures' | 'Unpopular measures' |
| The unions hope that the march through Athens will attract tens of thousands so they can demonstrate to the government, the Eurozone, the IMF and the international markets, that they can mobilise enough "troops" to defeat the new austerity programme, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens. | The unions hope that the march through Athens will attract tens of thousands so they can demonstrate to the government, the Eurozone, the IMF and the international markets, that they can mobilise enough "troops" to defeat the new austerity programme, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens. |
| The value of the euro dropped on Friday after publication of a new poll suggested more than 50% of Greeks would take to the streets to try to stop the government's austerity drive. | The value of the euro dropped on Friday after publication of a new poll suggested more than 50% of Greeks would take to the streets to try to stop the government's austerity drive. |
| The full details of the bail-out are expected to be revealed this weekend if the Eurozone leaders finally sign off the multi-billion dollar package, which is designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its enormous debt obligations. | The full details of the bail-out are expected to be revealed this weekend if the Eurozone leaders finally sign off the multi-billion dollar package, which is designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its enormous debt obligations. |
| Prime Minister Papandreou says the package is essential to save the country and protect its future. | Prime Minister Papandreou says the package is essential to save the country and protect its future. |
| He has said he would not weaken despite opposition and the political cost of the unpopular measures. | He has said he would not weaken despite opposition and the political cost of the unpopular measures. |