Greek leaders fail to agree on austerity measures‎

[News_Editor]

Greek leaders fail to agree on austerity measures‎

2011-05-28 06:21:55 GMT+7 (ICT)

ATHENS, GREECE (BNO NEWS) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Friday failed to win support for a new package of austerity measures following a long meeting with his political rivals, the Kathimerini newspaper reported.

"There are many points on which we can agree. But there is a need for political will from all sides," Papandreou said. "Over the next few days we will continue efforts to reach a consensus."

He added that his administration will continue fighting to bring the country out of the economic crisis "with or without consensus."

After leaving the official residence of President Karolos Papoulias, who chaired the meeting, opposition leaders continue to reject the policies chosen by the socialist government to reduce the country's massive deficit.

The leader of the main conservative opposition New Democracy, Antonis Samaras, called for a renegotiation of the terms of the agreement between Greece and the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, which last May pledged the country 110 billion euros ($150 billion) in loans. He also called for an alternative program that would reduce taxes rather than raise them.

The leader of the far-right Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), Giorgos Karatzaferis, said that certain political leaders were not focusing on the common good, while the leader of the Communist Party (KKE), Aleka Papariga, claimed that Greeks were being subjected to "ideological terrorism." The head of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), Alexis Tsipras, described the government's proposed reforms as "unfair and disastrous."

Meanwhile, thousands of people continued protesting against austerity measures in Athens and other cities for the third day. Protesters, inspired by the recent events in Spain, are planing to keep up the pressure on politicians over austerity measures and the quality of life in Greece.

Greece's unemployment rate went from 10.2 percent to 14.1 percent between the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2010. Last year, Greece cut salaries and pensions, while raising taxes, as the country received a bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to avoid national bankruptcy.

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