This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19724284

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Greece general strike sees tighter Athens security Athens clashes as Greek police fire tear gas
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of people have gathered outside Greece's parliament as part of a day-long general strike to protest against new austerity measures. Greek police have fired tear gas to disperse anarchists throwing petrol bombs near Athens' parliament on a day-long strike against austerity measures.
The trade union-led action is the first since Greece's conservative-led coalition came to power in June. Clashes erupted during the first trade union-led action since a conservative-led coalition came to power in June.
The protest is against planned spending cuts of 11.5bn euros ($15bn; £9bn).The protest is against planned spending cuts of 11.5bn euros ($15bn; £9bn).
The savings are a pre-condition to Greece receiving its next tranche of bailout funds, without which the country could face bankruptcy in weeks.The savings are a pre-condition to Greece receiving its next tranche of bailout funds, without which the country could face bankruptcy in weeks.
Wednesday's strike has brought the whole country to a standstill, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens, with doctors, teachers, tax workers, ferry operators and air traffic controllers all joining the protest. A march past parliament by tens of thousands of protesters turned violent as anarchists wearing black balaclavas and carrying sticks threw petrol bombs and broken bits of concrete at riot police on Syntagma Square, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens.
Wednesday's strike has brought the whole country to a standstill, adds our correspondent, with doctors, teachers, tax workers, ferry operators and air traffic controllers all joining the protest.
It follows a series of demonstrations in Spain and Portugal, which are also facing stringent austerity measures.It follows a series of demonstrations in Spain and Portugal, which are also facing stringent austerity measures.
  • On Tuesday, police in Madrid fired rubber bullets during clashes with protesters outside parliament. 38 people were arrested and 64 injured
  • The Bank of Spain said the country's recession was href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19726981" >deepening at a "significant pace". Madrid will announce further austerity measures on Thursday
  • Portugal is holding an extraordinary cabinet meeting after big protests forced the government to withdraw a plan to hike employees' tax rates
  • On Tuesday, police in Madrid fired rubber bullets during clashes with protesters outside parliament; 38 people were arrested and 64 injured
  • The Bank of Spain said the country's recession was deepening at a "significant pace". Madrid will announce further austerity measures on Thursday
  • Portugal is holding an extraordinary cabinet meeting after big protests forced the government to withdraw a plan to raise employees' tax rates
Greece needs the next 31bn-euro instalment of its international bailout, but with record unemployment and a third of Greeks pushed below the poverty line, there is strong resistance to further cuts.Greece needs the next 31bn-euro instalment of its international bailout, but with record unemployment and a third of Greeks pushed below the poverty line, there is strong resistance to further cuts.
The government of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is proposing to save money by slashing pensions and raising the retirement age to 67.The government of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is proposing to save money by slashing pensions and raising the retirement age to 67.
But it has also urged the troika representing Greece's lenders - the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - to give it an extra two years to push the austerity programme through.But it has also urged the troika representing Greece's lenders - the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - to give it an extra two years to push the austerity programme through.
On Tuesday the Greek finance minister, Yannis Stournaras, put a price on that delay for the first time - saying it would in effect cost as much as 15bn euros. On Tuesday the Greek Finance Minister, Yannis Stournaras, put a price on that delay for the first time - saying it would in effect cost as much as 15bn euros.
Fears of violenceFears of violence
Banks and historic sites in Athens remained shut on Wednesday, with many shopkeepers expected to close up early so they could attend demonstrations.Banks and historic sites in Athens remained shut on Wednesday, with many shopkeepers expected to close up early so they could attend demonstrations.
Schools and government services were also closing down, though buses were still running, reportedly to help ferry people to the protests.Schools and government services were also closing down, though buses were still running, reportedly to help ferry people to the protests.
The strike was called by the country's two biggest unions, which between them represent half the workforce.The strike was called by the country's two biggest unions, which between them represent half the workforce.
A survey conducted by the MRB polling agency last week found that more than 90% of Greeks believed the planned cuts were unfair and a burden on the poor.A survey conducted by the MRB polling agency last week found that more than 90% of Greeks believed the planned cuts were unfair and a burden on the poor.
With demonstrations planned, many people fear a repeat of the violence seen during previous protests, says our correspondent. But some, such as teacher Beverly Storey, who has lived in Greece for 20 years, say striking is the wrong way to ensure Greece's crippling debt is reduced - as Greece's poorest workers cannot afford it.
Thousands of police have been deployed in the centre of Athens to prevent a flare-up. Rather, the government should target well-paid civil servants, she said - even if it risked alienating an influential voter-base in the process.
"Greece needs to be brought down to its knees in order to be reborn again," said Ms Storey.
Leave the euro?
Greece is currently trying to qualify for the next instalment of its 130bn-euro bailout, which is backed by the IMF and the other 16 euro nations.Greece is currently trying to qualify for the next instalment of its 130bn-euro bailout, which is backed by the IMF and the other 16 euro nations.
Greece was given a 110bn-euro package in May 2010 and a further 130bn euros in October 2011. That money is paid in instalments, but correspondents say the lenders are reluctant to stump up the latest slice, as they feel Greece has not made enough effort to meet its deficit-reduction targets. Greece was given a 110bn-euro package in May 2010 and a further 130bn euros in October 2011.
Greece needs the next tranche of its bailout to make repayments on its debt burden. A default could result in the country leaving the euro. That money is paid in instalments, but correspondents say the lenders are reluctant to stump up the latest slice, as they feel Greece has not made enough effort to meet its deficit-reduction targets.
Greece needs the new money to make repayments on its debt burden. A default could result in the country leaving the euro.
Are you in Greece? Are you taking part in the 24-hour walkout? Please send us your comments and stories using the form below.Are you in Greece? Are you taking part in the 24-hour walkout? Please send us your comments and stories using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions