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Greece general strike begins over spending cuts Greece general strike begins over spending cuts
(40 minutes later)
A general strike is under way in Greece, grounding flights, halting most public services and shutting offices and shops.A general strike is under way in Greece, grounding flights, halting most public services and shutting offices and shops.
The 48-hour strike comes as parliament prepares to vote on the latest round of austerity measures, including more tax hikes, pay cuts and job losses.The 48-hour strike comes as parliament prepares to vote on the latest round of austerity measures, including more tax hikes, pay cuts and job losses.
Greece is struggling to reduce a huge government deficit amid fears it may default and set off a eurozone crisis.Greece is struggling to reduce a huge government deficit amid fears it may default and set off a eurozone crisis.
The EU and IMF have demanded tough cuts in return for two bailouts.The EU and IMF have demanded tough cuts in return for two bailouts.
The BBC's Chris Morris in Athens says the pace of protests in Greece has been increasing for several weeks.The BBC's Chris Morris in Athens says the pace of protests in Greece has been increasing for several weeks.
There have been lightning strikes across virtually every sector of the economy, with rubbish not collected and government ministries blockaded by their own workers.There have been lightning strikes across virtually every sector of the economy, with rubbish not collected and government ministries blockaded by their own workers.
The strike for Wednesday and Thursday has been called by the two big unions that cover public and private sector workers.The strike for Wednesday and Thursday has been called by the two big unions that cover public and private sector workers.
Sending a messageSending a message
Government departments, businesses, offices and shops are all expected to be shut. Planes, trains, buses, taxis and lorries will not be operating. And for the first time, small business owners and shopkeepers are taking part. Government departments, businesses, offices and stores are all expected to be shut, with small business owners and shopkeepers taking part in strike action for the first time.
Air traffic controllers will stage a 12-hour walk-out. Trains, buses, taxis and lorries will not be operating.
The unions will tell you this is the biggest protest since nearly 18 months ago, when Greece was forced to take its first financial bailout from the EU and IMF.
On the other side of the argument, a bullish PM George Papandreou said he wanted to talk to the people who he said were blackmailing the country by blockading and stopping everything working. He is under tremendous pressure at home from disgruntled people in the public sector. But also some in the private sector will be on strike. They say they are being squeezed to death by rising taxes.
The PM is also under pressure from abroad, with other countries in the EU saying that he has to push these measures through as it's the only way they can persuade their electorates to continue offering support.
All this is happening because the threat of contagion is not a threat anymore - it's arrived.
A strike over recent days by rubbish collectors has left uncollected waste piling in the streets.
"We are going to send a loud message to the government and the political system," said Costas Tsikrikas, the head of the public workers' union Adedy."We are going to send a loud message to the government and the political system," said Costas Tsikrikas, the head of the public workers' union Adedy.
"We believe participation will be huge," he said."We believe participation will be huge," he said.
The strikers are planning to gather outside the parliament in Athens later on Wednesday morning to protest against the austerity measures.The strikers are planning to gather outside the parliament in Athens later on Wednesday morning to protest against the austerity measures.
There were violent clashes outside parliament in June between police and protesters demanding an end to the measures.There were violent clashes outside parliament in June between police and protesters demanding an end to the measures.
Legislators are voting on two bills on Wednesday and Thursday that include cuts to the pay and pensions of public sector workers, higher taxes and the suspension of collective labour agreements.Legislators are voting on two bills on Wednesday and Thursday that include cuts to the pay and pensions of public sector workers, higher taxes and the suspension of collective labour agreements.
Prime Minister George Papandreou's Pasok party has a four-seat majority but some of his backbenchers have threatened to vote against the measures.Prime Minister George Papandreou's Pasok party has a four-seat majority but some of his backbenchers have threatened to vote against the measures.
Late on Tuesday, Mr Papandreou appealed to his MPs for support.Late on Tuesday, Mr Papandreou appealed to his MPs for support.
"We must persevere in this war as people, as a government, as a parliamentary group in order for the country to win it," he said."We must persevere in this war as people, as a government, as a parliamentary group in order for the country to win it," he said.
'Haircut''Haircut'
Greece finds itself with rising unemployment and a stalled economy, with a government debt that is 162% of its gross domestic product.Greece finds itself with rising unemployment and a stalled economy, with a government debt that is 162% of its gross domestic product.

What went wrong in Greece?

Greece's economic reforms, which led to it abandoning the drachma as its currency in favour of the euro in 2002, made it easier for the country to borrow money.
Greece went on a big, debt-funded spending spree, including paying for high-profile projects such as the 2004 Athens Olympics, which went well over its budget.
The country was hit by the downturn, which meant it had to spend more on benefits and received less in taxes. There were also doubts about the accuracy of its economic statistics.
Greece's economic problems meant lenders started charging higher interest rates to lend it money. Widespread tax evasion also hit the government's coffers.
There have been demonstrations against the government's austerity measures to deal with its debt, such as cuts to public sector pay and pensions, reduced benefits and increased taxes.
In July 2011, Eurozone leaders and the IMF agreed to lend Greece 109bn euros ($155bn, £96.3bn) - a year after it was granted access to a 110bn euro rescue package.
Eurozone ministers were worried that if Greece was to default there would be a risk of contagion to other economies. They hope the package will resolve Greece's debt crisis and shore up the euro.
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What went wrong in Greece?

Greece's economic reforms, which led to it abandoning the drachma as its currency in favour of the euro in 2002, made it easier for the country to borrow money.
Greece went on a big, debt-funded spending spree, including paying for high-profile projects such as the 2004 Athens Olympics, which went well over its budget.
The country was hit by the downturn, which meant it had to spend more on benefits and received less in taxes. There were also doubts about the accuracy of its economic statistics.
Greece's economic problems meant lenders started charging higher interest rates to lend it money. Widespread tax evasion also hit the government's coffers.
There have been demonstrations against the government's austerity measures to deal with its debt, such as cuts to public sector pay and pensions, reduced benefits and increased taxes.
In July 2011, Eurozone leaders and the IMF agreed to lend Greece 109bn euros ($155bn, £96.3bn) - a year after it was granted access to a 110bn euro rescue package.
Eurozone ministers were worried that if Greece was to default there would be a risk of contagion to other economies. They hope the package will resolve Greece's debt crisis and shore up the euro.
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The long-term bond markets have shut Greece out over fears that it can no longer meet its debt obligations.The long-term bond markets have shut Greece out over fears that it can no longer meet its debt obligations.
The EU and the IMF have stepped in with two rescue packages but the second has not been finalised.The EU and the IMF have stepped in with two rescue packages but the second has not been finalised.
Meanwhile, Greece says it needs the next $11bn (£7bn; 8bn euros) instalment from the first package of bailout loans agreed last year or it will run out of money to pay its bills in November.Meanwhile, Greece says it needs the next $11bn (£7bn; 8bn euros) instalment from the first package of bailout loans agreed last year or it will run out of money to pay its bills in November.
As part of the second bailout agreed to in July, Greece's creditors agreed to a 21% loss - or "haircut" - on their loans to Athens, but there are suggestions this may not be enough.As part of the second bailout agreed to in July, Greece's creditors agreed to a 21% loss - or "haircut" - on their loans to Athens, but there are suggestions this may not be enough.
With fears the problems besetting Athens might spread to other highly indebted eurozone countries such as Spain and Italy, EU leaders meeting this weekend are scrambling to forge a plan that will protect the region from a Greek default.With fears the problems besetting Athens might spread to other highly indebted eurozone countries such as Spain and Italy, EU leaders meeting this weekend are scrambling to forge a plan that will protect the region from a Greek default.
Measures could include propping up banks exposed to Greek debt and enlarging the eurozone's rescue fund.Measures could include propping up banks exposed to Greek debt and enlarging the eurozone's rescue fund.
Are you planning to join the strike in Greece? Do you agree with the action? You can let us know by filling in the form below.Are you planning to join the strike in Greece? Do you agree with the action? You can let us know by filling in the form below.