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Greece hit by new general strike over austerity | Greece hit by new general strike over austerity |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Thousands of people protested across Greece on Thursday against the next round of spending cuts, required in return for another bailout instalment. | |
The 24-hour strike is the country's 20th national stoppage since the debt crisis erupted two years ago and comes as EU leaders met in Brussels. | |
Taxi drivers, doctors, teachers and air traffic controllers were among those taking part in the rallies. | |
Athens police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators throwing petrol bombs. | |
Syntagma Square was temporarily shut down but has since reopened to traffic; it was quite a small protest as Greek protests go and remained mainly peaceful, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens. | |
Protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at police blocking off parts of the capital's main square before parliament. Officers responded with tear gas and stun grenades. | |
A 65-year-old man suffered a fatal heart attack during the demonstration, which was said not to be linked to the protests. | A 65-year-old man suffered a fatal heart attack during the demonstration, which was said not to be linked to the protests. |
But local media are reporting that he was tear-gassed, our correspondent says. | But local media are reporting that he was tear-gassed, our correspondent says. |
Thousands of protesters gathered for rallies ahead of two separate demonstrations in central Athens, amid a heavy police presence. | Thousands of protesters gathered for rallies ahead of two separate demonstrations in central Athens, amid a heavy police presence. |
Other protests were also planned across the country. | Other protests were also planned across the country. |
The strike takes place as European leaders are meeting in Brussels for a summit in which Greece's economic fate is likely to feature large. | |
Greece is currently preparing a 13.5bn-euro (£11bn; $17.7bn) austerity package to satisfy the "troika" of International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank lenders in return for its next 31.5bn-euro tranche of aid. | Greece is currently preparing a 13.5bn-euro (£11bn; $17.7bn) austerity package to satisfy the "troika" of International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank lenders in return for its next 31.5bn-euro tranche of aid. |
The country is due to run out of money next month. | The country is due to run out of money next month. |
However, trade union leaders say they hope to show EU leaders that a new wave of wage and pension cuts will only worsen the plight of the Greek people. | |
'Catastrophic measures' | 'Catastrophic measures' |
Greece is in its fifth consecutive year of recession and more than a quarter of its workforce is unemployed. | Greece is in its fifth consecutive year of recession and more than a quarter of its workforce is unemployed. |
"Just once, the government ought to reject the troika's absurd demands," said Yannis Panagopoulos, head of the GSEE private sector union. | "Just once, the government ought to reject the troika's absurd demands," said Yannis Panagopoulos, head of the GSEE private sector union. |
"Agreeing to catastrophic measures means driving society to despair, and the consequences as well as the protests will then be indefinite," he added. | "Agreeing to catastrophic measures means driving society to despair, and the consequences as well as the protests will then be indefinite," he added. |
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says cracks are already appearing within the coalition government as party leaders disagree over job losses and other austerity measures. | The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says cracks are already appearing within the coalition government as party leaders disagree over job losses and other austerity measures. |
Anger has led to a loss of faith in the state, he says, with Greeks increasingly turning to political extremes such as the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party. | Anger has led to a loss of faith in the state, he says, with Greeks increasingly turning to political extremes such as the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party. |
Although the Greek government has vowed to stay the course, social unrest could yet prove explosive, our correspondent adds. | Although the Greek government has vowed to stay the course, social unrest could yet prove explosive, our correspondent adds. |
Are you in Greece? Are you taking part in the strike or the protests? Send us your stories and comments using the form below. | Are you in Greece? Are you taking part in the strike or the protests? Send us your stories and comments 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. |
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