Greek protests turn violent

Clashes have erupted in the Greek capital of Athens between police and the youths protesting a parliamentary vote on new austerity measures.

Thousands of anti-government protesters have been demonstrating in central Athens outside the parliament against the new austerity program.

Riot police fired tear gas at youths throwing stones and rocks at them, according to the state-run BBC.

The protests come as unions have also begun a two-day general strike, halting most public services.

Airlines, trams, buses, banks, and administration offices have participated in the strike by reducing their services during peak hours. Hospitals have also announced that they will have limited staff.

The Greek parliament is set to put to vote new austerity measures to secure the latest tranche of financial aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Greece’s newly-approved austerity plan is worth some EUR 28 billion and includes a privatization program aimed at raising EUR 50 billion and further budget cuts as well as tax increases so that the government may receive further international financial assistance.

If passed, the bill would trigger the release of EUR 12 billion (USD 17 billion) to Greece from the EU and the IMF.

Without passage of the measures, the EU and the IMF will block payment of the fifth tranche of Greece’s EUR 110 billion bailout program.

Polls suggest that between 70 percent and 80 percent of Greek people oppose the austerity plan.

The unions are angry that the government’s spending cuts will impose taxes on those with minimum wages.

“We’re opposed to what they’re trying to do to us,” said bank worker Kali Patouna.

“We know very well that these measures will be our tombstone. They will have extreme consequences for workers and for everyone on all social levels.”

Greece has a debt of over EUR 300 billion, which is worth more than 150 percent of its annual economic output.

Anti-government demonstrations in Greece have turned violent at times, leaving scores of protesters and security forces injured.