It could be the start of a long, hot summer in Greece. Protesters upset with planned government austerity moves marched and clashed with riot police in Athens. Rocks and Molotov cocktails were hurled, tear gas canisters were fired. According to Fox News freelance journalist Anthee Carassava, “There were sporadic skirmishes…and a lot of stone throwing.” “The people have to take matters into their own hands as soon as possible,” protester Kally Gelbesi declared, “There is no other way.” A general strike also hit public offices and transportation, including ferries operating between the Greek mainland and its islands.
There is concern tourists will be scared off by the troubles…including Americans.
“I am extremely upset,” American Kristin Shakavic remarked, “I am supposed to get married in Santorini. My family is coming in and I can’t get through!”
The Greek government of President George Papandreou has endured months of debt crisis…and protest. After winning over the European Union and the IMF, Greece faces a key vote on pension reform next week.
“It’s important that the Papandreou government maintains that support,” Greece analyst John Sitilides told Fox News, “and his parliamentary majority passes through the measures.”
There was trouble in Spain today, too. The subway system in the capital of Madrid was shut down. Demonstrations racked Bilbao in the north.
Spain is just one of several European countries, including Italy, Portugal and Ireland, which are trying to deal with debt woes through austerity measures. There remains a lot of uncertainty about the continent’s prospects.
“Hopefully we’ll stave off crises in other parts of Europe,” Sitilides added, “But we’re not out of the woods yet.”
However, all of this is now fueling another debate. When does too much austerity kill off recovery and hurt people even more? It’s a dilemma which, no doubt, will fuel more protest in Greece and elsewhere.
29.06.2010
