Wednesday, July 15, 2015

New measures unleash violence in Athens – Economist

Protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at police, who responded with tear gas to expressions of violence that occurred during demonstrations against austerity measures that were carried out against the Greek Parliament on Wednesday.

The police responded with tear gas against demonstrators. Photo: Reuters

Athens. Demonstrators threw firebombs and stones at police, who responded with tear gas to expressions of violence that occurred during demonstrations against austerity measures that were carried out against the Greek Parliament on Wednesday.

The clashes occurred when lawmakers began the debate on the controversial necessary to start negotiations on the new rescue package and avoid the financial collapse of Greece measures.

The violence involving about 200 young people who dropped bombs inflammatory and rocks at riot police, smashed windows and set fire to trash bins.

Young people were among the 12,500 demonstrators came out to protest. Such clashes are the first violent protest since the radical left Syriza party came to power in January, promising to fight austerity.

Authorities said at least 50 people were arrested. Many of the masked demonstrators carried wooden bats and pieces of pavement.

It all started to calm down when the discussion moved on a new austerity measures in parliament.

The protest was synchronized with the start of debate on legislation that includes tax hikes and pension system reforms that will condemn the Greeks more years of economic hardship.

The law has caused outrage among members of the ruling party Syriza and he led to an internal revolt against the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who insisted that the agreement reached Monday with creditors after a summit that lasted 17 hours was the only option to avoid the financial collapse of the country.

“I must tell you that Monday morning, at 9:30, was the hardest day of my life. It was a decision that weigh me the rest of my life, “said Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos.

Public Employees went on strike which disrupted transportation and caused the closure of government services throughout the country .

pharmacies joined the strike with 24-hour strike to object to the austerity measures that allow certain drugs sold without a prescription to be sold in supermarkets.

The Greeks still they face the problem of the limits on cash withdrawals at banks and foreign transfers. Banks are closed from June 29 and the Ministry of Finance reported that they remain closed until Thursday.

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