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Hundreds protest first post-bailout budget in Athens

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 2:10 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 19 December 2018 3:10 AM ]

People participate in an anti-austerity rally in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens organized by communist affiliated PAME workers union on December 18, 2018. (AFP)

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Athens on Tuesday, as the first post-bailout economic budget goes to vote in the Greek parliament.

Protesters with banners and signs marched towards the Greek parliament, while chanting anti-austerity slogans.

For PAME (All-Workers Militant Front) member Manolis Vardavakis who also takes part in Thriasio Hospital’s Labor Executive Committee, the Syriza-Anel coalition follows on the steps of previous governments.

"Exiting the memorandum is exactly the same as entering was, since all the anti-labor measures are to be preserved, established and adapted with no change."

According to Panagiotis Avgikos of the 'Self-employed merchants and workers of Athens,' the memorandums are over but the austerity reforms will remain as long as the government keeps following the EU guidelines.

"Nothing has changed for us. The scraps the government has promised will resolve no problem for the workers."

In August 2018 Greece officially exited the 8-year long bailout programs that were imposed by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to sustain the country’s public debt.

The European Commission has accepted the proposal for Greece’s first post-bailout budget, but the country’s budget will remain under the scrutiny of the EU.

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