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Greece braced for 48-hour strike amid crucial debate Greeks strike against austerity
(about 3 hours later)
Greece is braced for a 48-hour general strike across public and private sectors in protest at a proposed new wave of spending cuts. Workers in Greece have launched a 48-hour general strike across the public and private sectors in protest at a proposed new wave of austerity.
Protest marches - which regularly end in running battles with police - are planned for the centre of Athens. Protesters have begun a march to parliament. Previous rallies have often ended in running battles with police.
The action coincides with a debate in parliament on the austerity measures, with a vote by MPs due on Wednesday. MPs are due to vote on the package of salary and pension cuts, and labour market reforms, on Wednesday.
Greece must back the measures, and the 2013 budget, to receive the next part of a bailout and avoid bankruptcy.Greece must back the measures, and the 2013 budget, to receive the next part of a bailout and avoid bankruptcy.
The latest strike starting on Tuesday includes public transport workers, lawyers, air traffic controllers, taxi drivers, journalists and hospital staff. The latest strike, called by Greece's two biggest labour unions, representing half the four million-strong workforce, started at midnight.
Some transport and media workers downed tools on Monday as well. Trains, ferries and international flights were all being cancelled, schools were closed, and hospitals were reportedly open only for emergencies.
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says that with proposals for a fifth consecutive cut to pensions, an increase in the retirement age and reductions to salaries, benefits and healthcare, the fury among Greece's population is growing.The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says that with proposals for a fifth consecutive cut to pensions, an increase in the retirement age and reductions to salaries, benefits and healthcare, the fury among Greece's population is growing.
Greek ministers say the package should save a total of 13.5bn euros (£11bn; $17bn) by 2016. Greek ministers say the package should save a total of 13.5bn euros (£11bn; $17bn).
Approving the tough reforms and passing the 2013 budget are key to receiving a 31.5bn-euro instalment from the International Monetary Fund and European Union that has been on hold for months.Approving the tough reforms and passing the 2013 budget are key to receiving a 31.5bn-euro instalment from the International Monetary Fund and European Union that has been on hold for months.
However, the Democratic Left Party which is the junior member of the three-party governing coalition, is refusing to back the package. The government must meet a 5bn-euro debt repayment in mid-November and says it needs the bailout cash to avoid going bankrupt.
However, the Democratic Left Party, which is the junior member of the three-party governing coalition, is refusing to back the package.
The second biggest coalition party, the socialist Pasok, is also facing a rebellion by some MPs.The second biggest coalition party, the socialist Pasok, is also facing a rebellion by some MPs.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has tried to reassure the public, who have endured repeated rounds of austerity and a five-year recession. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras hopes that even without the their support, he will have enough votes to get the austerity package through on Wednesday, and the budget on Sunday.
"These will be the last cuts in wages and pensions," he said on Sunday. He has tried to reassure the public, who have endured repeated rounds of austerity and a five-year recession, that these would be "the last cuts in wages and pensions".
"We promised to avert the country's exit from the euro and this is what we are doing. We have given absolute priority to this because if we do not achieve this everything else will be meaningless." But Greeks have heard similar promises before, and Ilias Iliopoulos, head of public sector union ADEDY, said they had now had enough.
"We're calling on every lawmaker in parliament, without exception, and we're telling them that 100% of workers in the public sector are saying that they should not vote for these measures," he said.
Are you in Greece? Are you taking part in the latest strike or protests? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Greece? Are you taking part in the latest strike or protests? Send us your comments using the form below.
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