Greek cabinet approves supplementary austerity package

搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号：tingroom，领取免费英语资料大礼包。

　　During the euro group meeting on Monday the discussion regarding the Greek new economic program would be concluded, said Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos chairing the extraordinary cabinet meeting, expressing confidence for a positive outcome.

　　The additional 325 million euros worth (427 million U.S. dollars) spending cuts sealed on Saturday were one of the last preconditions set by European Union and International Monetary³ Fund creditors⁴ in order to give the "green light" to a 130-billion-euro (170 billion U.S. dollars) bailout package to Greece, the second in two years.

　　The bill with the final measures that includes fresh 12 percent cuts to main pensions exceeding 1,300 euros per month and auxiliary⁵ pensions above 200 euros per month, along new reductions on salaries of civil servants, is expected to be put for voting in parliament by Monday on time for the crucial Euro group meeting.

　　Greece has been committed to a total of 3.2 billion euros budget cuts this year included in a bill approved by the assembly on Monday in order to secure the release of further international funds on time to be repay a 14.5 billion euros bond on March 20.

　　Without the aid, which also clears the way for a deal on a "haircut" of Greek state bonds owned by private creditors to ease by almost a third an over 360 billion euros debt burden, the country could default, sending shockwaves across the euro zone and global economy.

　　The latest wave of belt-tightening measures in a recession-hit country has increased reactions by labor⁶ unions and ordinary Greeks. The two umbrella trade unions of private and public sector⁷ workers GSEE and ADEDY have called for new demonstrations⁸ in front of the parliament on Sunday.

　　High school and university students gathered at Syntagma square on Saturday afternoon to protest the "unfair burden placed on poor peoples' shoulders," as written on banners.

　　This time they were symbolically⁹ joined by thousands protesters participating in rallies "in solidarity¹⁰ with Greek people" staged in dozens cities across Europe and the U.S. under the main slogan "We are all Greeks now."

分享到：