Greek police clash with protesters

Greek riot police have clashed with demonstrators holing a nationwide strike as lawmakers prepare to vote on the latest round of tough cost-cutting measures.

Police fired tear gas after coming under attack with firebombs during the massive demonstration outside parliament, injuring several people in central Athens on Wednesday, AFP reported.

According to police, more than 125,000 people rallied in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion and other cities against the new austerity bill that is heading for a parliamentary vote on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a general 48-hour strike is underway in Greece targeting tourist attractions, planes, trains and boats as well as banks, schools and even shops selling everyday basics.

“Today and tomorrow is the greatest general strike, the greatest mobilization by the Greek people against the unfair, anti-social and ineffective measures brought by the government and its creditors,” Yannis Panagopoulos, head of the main union The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) which represents private sector staff, said.

Greece is struggling to reduce a huge government deficit amid fears that a possible default that may set off a eurozone crisis could be on the horizon.

The European Union and the International Monetary Fund have provided Greece with two rescue packages in return for tough austerity measures.

Greece must persuade both the EU and the IMF that it is making sufficient financial reforms. Otherwise, it will not receive its next bailout installment and will go bankrupt within weeks.