Greece braced for austerity drive - Guardian.co.uk

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/22/greece-crisis-no-confidence-vote

Greece braced for austerity drive as government wins confidence vote

Country remains in grip of crisis with mass protests, threats of further strikes and bitter political divisions over bailout policy

• 
• • Helena Smith in Athens
  • The Guardian, Wednesday 22 June 2011
  • Article history

Greek protesters demonstrate against plans for austerity measures outside parliament in Athens. Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

Athens' crisis-hit government has survived a much-anticipated vote of confidence as the country's political opposition has renewed calls for its resignation and tens of thousands of Greeks protested outside parliament.

After a bravura speech in which he called on Greeks to "fight together" in overcoming their worst crisis in modern times, prime minister secured the support of his MPs, winning by 155 votes in the 300-seat House.

The vote was seen as vital for Greece to press ahead with austerity measures and avoid defaulting on its colossal €355bn (£297bn) debt.

The roll-call ballot took place while Greeks from all walks of life converged on central Syntagma Square to demonstrate against the government's deeply unpopular fiscal policies.

Angrily punching the air as politicians debated the debt-choked state's parlous economic plight, protestors shouted "we give a vote of no confidence."

As riot police looked on and tensions rose, many threw bottles of water at the parliament.

The confidence vote was but one step in a long and arduous journey to putting near-bankrupt Greece back on its feet – financially, politically and increasingly socially – barely a year after it secured €110bn (£97bn) in emergency aid, the biggest bailout in western history.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/22/greece-crisis-no-confidence-vote

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