Greece

General strike puts Greece lame

It is one of the biggest protests in Greece since years. Tens of thousands to go against a planned pension reform and tax increases on the road. Almost all occupational groups are in the proceedings.

It is easier to say, who is not on strike as who is on strike, it was said in Greek radio broadcasting. To near lunch time marched tens of thousands of protesters through the centre of Athens and other cities such as Thessaloniki, Patras, Iraklion and Volos.

In many cases, demonstrated to employers and employees Hand in Hand. Dealer went along with their employees on the road. Among other things, strike sailors, lawyers, the employees of the refuse collection, pharmacists, farmers, and engineers. Also many freelancers will participate in the 24-hour protests. Hospitals are working in emergency mode.

Affected is also the traffic. Taxis don’t go, petrol stations have closed in the port of Piraeus, there is no ferry from. In addition, there are some domestic flights to smaller Islands. International Connections should not be affected.

Empty train platform in Athens

The police feared riots at the Dem0nstrationen. Autonomous could – as already several times in the past few years – try to take the rallies into Chaos, it said. The protests were initially peaceful.

Pension cuts of 15 percent is expected

“Hands off our pensions”, the demonstrators chanted. “The Minister of labour should have his family with 360 Euro a month to feed,” was on a banner.

The plans of the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, among other things, reductions of new pensions by an average of 15 percent, and substantial losses even in the case of the farmers. Freelancers would also be asked to pay. Tsipras had recently repeatedly warned that, without reform, could soon be no pensions, more paid.

In Athens, it is speculated, whether the Rentenreforn approved by Parliament. Many MPs were in fact already of their voters asked, the Reform does not have to agree. Tsipras ‘ left-Right government has a thin majority of three members. Dissenters could the country into a new political crisis to plunge. The reforms are a prerequisite for further support from the international lenders for the heavily indebted Greece.

gri/wl (dpa, rtre)