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Greece paralysed by first general strike for months | Greece paralysed by first general strike for months |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A 24-hour general strike over austerity measures has closed schools and public offices and heavily disrupted transport throughout Greece. | A 24-hour general strike over austerity measures has closed schools and public offices and heavily disrupted transport throughout Greece. |
Thousands demonstrated in Athens and other big cities in the country. | |
Greece has finally pulled out of a six-year recession, and its government is trying to exit a €240bn (£190bn; $300bn) international bailout. | Greece has finally pulled out of a six-year recession, and its government is trying to exit a €240bn (£190bn; $300bn) international bailout. |
But Greeks are angry at continuing austerity and high jobless rates. | But Greeks are angry at continuing austerity and high jobless rates. |
Hospitals were open only for emergencies, and shops and banks were also hit by the first general strike in Greece since April. | Hospitals were open only for emergencies, and shops and banks were also hit by the first general strike in Greece since April. |
Major routes in Athens were gridlocked, ferries were halted and air-traffic controllers walked out, leaving dozens of flights grounded. | |
Protesters marched carrying banners reading "we will not pay for their crisis". | |
One demonstrator told AFP news agency: "For the past six years, Greek society has suffered and is being strangled economically by measures taken by the government and our European counterparts." | |
According to Greek media, it was the 32nd widely observed strike since 2010, when Greece sought an international bailout in the midst of the eurozone crisis. | According to Greek media, it was the 32nd widely observed strike since 2010, when Greece sought an international bailout in the midst of the eurozone crisis. |
The strikes were called amid the threat of further austerity measures. | |
Ministers are negotiating in Brussels with Greece's EU/IMF lenders on next year's budget, which is expected to include pension reform and more layoffs. | Ministers are negotiating in Brussels with Greece's EU/IMF lenders on next year's budget, which is expected to include pension reform and more layoffs. |
In a statement, the private sector GSEE union said it was challenging the "dogmatic obsession" of both the government and its international lenders with austerity and tax increases. | In a statement, the private sector GSEE union said it was challenging the "dogmatic obsession" of both the government and its international lenders with austerity and tax increases. |
The government has warned that due to a delay in negotiations, Greece may have to exit the bailout later than expected. | |
Parliament will debate the 2015 budget next month. Greece has the highest unemployment rate in the EU, at just under 26%, although the figures have begun falling. Youth unemployment is at almost 50%. | Parliament will debate the 2015 budget next month. Greece has the highest unemployment rate in the EU, at just under 26%, although the figures have begun falling. Youth unemployment is at almost 50%. |
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