Friday, October 21, 2011
Other stories from Greece
- 21 October 2011: Greek lawmakers pass new austerity law despite violent protests
- 15 July 2011: Euro reaches new lows
- 28 June 2011: Greek workers strike over austerity measures
- 23 June 2011: Greek parliament votes in favor of new Papandreou cabinet as debt crisis deepens
- 15 May 2011: Azerbaijan win 2011 Eurovision Song Contest
Location of Greece
Despite protests where one person was killed, Greek lawmakers voted to pass a new budget-cutting law. The result was 154 in favour to 144 against. The new law would bring in tax hikes and wage cuts.
The law, unpopular with the public, aims to reduce Greece's enormous national debt, which currently stands at 162% of the country's GDP.
Despite a peaceful start to the protest, violent skirmishes erupted between police and some of the protesters. Tear gas was fired, but "these measures are so tough that we won't be scared by a little bit of tear gas," said civil engineer Yiorgos Lenas, 29. "People can't take it anymore."
A 53 year old man, a member of the PAME workers' union, died of a cardiac arrest after participating in the protest.
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