Large scale violence in Greece as parliament approves bailout package

Europe Sun Monday 13th February, 2012

ATHENS - As thousands protested and resorted to violence and vandalism on the streets, Greece's parliament passed a package of austerity measures that the Eurozone has demanded in exchange for a 130 billion euro bailout package.

While 199 MPs voted in favour of the measure, 74 MPs voted against it.

As the parliament debated and voted on the highly unpopular measure late Sunday night, outside on the streets in Athens thousands of people who will be directly affected by the stringent wage and pension cuts shouted "thieves, thieves".

Protesters picked up bricks and stones and indulged in vandalism and many buildings, including banks, cafes and shops and a movie theatre in Athens were set ablaze.

According to police, around 30 protesters and 40 police were injured in the clashes. Some people were also detained for indulging in violence.

Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, in a stern message against the violence, said in parliament: "Vandalism, violence and destruction have no place in a democratic country and won't be tolerated."

The austerity package includes deep cuts in government spending, wages and pensions. Greece needs the 130 billion euro bailout deal in order to meet a 14.5 billion euro debt repayment which is due in March.

Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told lawmakers that the question was not "whether some salaries and pensions will be curtailed, but whether we will be able to pay even these reduced wages and pensions".

The bailout deal is aimed to help Greece cut its debts to 120% of GDP by 2020, from its current 160%.

The European Commission has lauded the Greek parliament's move to approve the new austerity measures.

On Thursday, the Eurozone had laid down fresh conditions for Greece to get the bailout package.

Greece was told that it will need to find an extra 325million euros in savings for 2012, and give "strong political assurances" that it will stick to the tough reforms after the April general elections.