Greek Lawmakers Approves Tough Austerity Measures Despite Protests
Greek lawmakers today passed a package of tough austerity measures designed to bring the country’s economy out of recession.
The approval of the measures by the Greek parliament was seen as crucial in helping Greece secure a financial rescue package from Europe and IMF.
But the approval of the measures stirred immediate concerns about prolognign the demonstrations, which are in progress outside the Parliament. Some demonstrators broke away from the main crowd and strated pelting stone towards the parliament after the vote.
According to police, hundreds of protesters lashed out at the government and security forces and set ablaze a bank building where three workers were killed.
“This really represents a game change in what’s happening in Greece. Greeks and the rest of the world will ask, ‘Why on earth are you firebombing your own?,” said Jens Bastian, an economist and senior research fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy in Athens to the Washington Post.
“I think Greece will rise up against these people, because now the conversation isn’t about austerity measures, but about a murderous rampage against innocent people,” added Bastian.
