Greek parliament approves austerity package

The Greek parliament on passed the socialist government’s austerity bill on the 6 May 2010 as tens of thousands of Greeks gathered outside parliament to mourn the three bank employees killed during anti-austerity riots the previous day.

Nonetheless, the angry debate inside the chamber showed that Greece’s main political parties appeared unable to agree a unified response to the violence and join forces behind a drive for economic reform.

Article reports that Greece’s bid to avert a sovereign default, overhaul its public administration and revive its economy mark the biggest challenge the country has faced since it emerged from a seven-year military dictatorship in 1974.

Deutsche Welle, 6.5.10: Greek parliament passes austerity package http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5543120,00.html

France24, 6.5.10: Lawmakers approve key austerity measures amid fresh protests http://www.france24.com/en/20100506-papandreou-rallies-parliament-budget-cuts-austerity-measures-support

ESO: Background information: The Greek debt crisis of 2010 http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-greek-debt-crisis-key-sources/

ESO: Background information: Greece agrees to €24bn of cutbacks http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-agrees-to-e24bn-of-cutbacks/

Greece: Ministry of Economy and Finance http://www.mnec.gr/en/

BBC News, 6.5.10: Greek parliament votes in favour of austerity measures http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8664161.stm

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