Pension reform spark fiercest protests since Tsipras took office

Thousands marched in Greece on 4 February 2016 as a crippling general strike against pension reforms swept the country, with hooded youths lobbing firebombs at riot police in scattered skirmishes in Athens.

Some 40,000 people joined protests in the Greek capital and another 14,000 demonstrated in Thessaloniki in the 24-hour industrial action, police said, as riot officers in Athens fired tear gas in response to Molotov cocktails.

The unrest cane as the Greek government and its creditors were meeting to review the €84 billion bailout agreed in July 2015 after six months of difficult talks.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: ESM head rules out haircut for Greek debt http://www.europeansources.info/record/esm-head-rules-out-haircut-for-greek-debt/

ESO: Background information: Greece defiant on pension cuts ahead of key talks with creditors http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-defiant-on-pension-cuts-ahead-of-key-talks-with-creditors/

Kathimerini, 04.02.16: Greece talks to lenders ahead of national strike showdown over reforms http://www.ekathimerini.com/205650/article/ekathimerini/news/greece-talks-to-lenders-ahead-of-national-strike-showdown-over-reforms

Euronews, 04.02.16: Pension reform protests across Greece as thousands take to the streets http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/04/pension-reform-protests-across-greece-as-thousands-take-to-the-streets/

Greek Reporter, 05.02.16: Only in Greece: Syriza Supports Mass Protests Against Its Own Government http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/02/05/only-in-greece-syriza-supports-mass-protests-against-its-own-government/

Deutsche Welle, 02.02.16: Greek farmers protest reforms ahead of general strike http://dw.com/p/1HnTO

Kathimerini, 02.02.16: [Opinion] Don't let Greek pensions threaten the euro http://www.ekathimerini.com/205609/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/dont-let-greek-pensions-threaten-the-euro

Politico, 11.02.16: New Greek bailout, same as the old Greek bailout http://www.politico.eu/article/new-greek-bailout-same-as-old-merkel-tsipras-imf-economy/

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