ROXANE MCMEEKEN from ATHENS Greeks furious at 'intact' arms spending as eurozone leaders insist on cuts to their public services.   As Greece is forced by European leaders to abandon a referendum to allow the people the chance to vote on its latest bailout conditions, the country is preparing for yet another dose of austerity. The conditions of the next €130bn rescue package will be severe, yet there i ...

The fear of 'contagion' shouldn't be just about the euro – this Greek resistance could spread across Europe. The Greek prime minister George Papandreou's loss of power is not surprising: the reaction of Greeks to the 27 October agreement with its new tranche of austerity measures and the further undermining of national independence was devastating for the government. The next day, a military parade was aban ...

Greek finance minister set to lead new coalition in deal struck in desperate bid to avoid snap elections. Greece's embattled prime minister George Papandreou has agreed to step aside to make way for a government "of broad acceptance" that will be led by his long-time political foe, finance minister Evangelos Venizelos. Ahead of winning a crucial vote of confidence in parliament by 153-145, Papandreou, who h ...

World leaders are gathering in Cannes for the opening of the Group of 20 summit today. On the top of the agenda is the Greece bailout and the European debt crisis. On Monday, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou angered many European leaders by announcing his support for a popular referendum—allowing the Greek people to decide if they want to accept the conditions of the $179 billion European Union bailou ...

The day starts in a heavy ambiance due to Ms. Merkel's and Mr. Sarkozy's  statements, who made it clear that the only eligible question for a referendum would be "yes or no to the Euro" and that the only (acceptable) answer on behalf of the Greek people could be "yes". Until the Ministerial Council starts, there is just confusion and ongoing political negociations.Until noon, five Socialist Party MPs  (Kail ...

ATHENS — After a tumultuous day of political gamesmanship, Prime Minister George Papandreou called off his plan to hold a referendum on Greece’s new loan deal with the European Union, withdrew his previous offers to resign and opened conciliation talks with his conservative opponents. By RACHEL DONADIO and NIKI KITSANTONIS   In an address to his party’s central committee on Thursday evening, he said th ...

This Monday, I will not wake up at 5am, I will not make my lunchbox, I will not travel 100km to get to work. Because I have no job anymore. My employer decided that there is no place for me at his company, he paid my severance pay and send me to queue for the dole. You would expect from a union leader like me to say ‘nothing is lost, heads up colleagues, we will meet again in the streets’ and ‘all together ...

written by K. Vaxevanis posted at www.koutipandoras.gr Dear Mr. Venizelos  - finance minister of Greece Some time ago, I publically addressed you a number of questions that give rise to serious issues on the way you lead your political life. These questions are based on  facts and not on any kind of speculation. You never replied to this. I was under the impression that your preoccupation with the issue of ...

REPORTING FROM ATHENS — Anthee Carassava   Greece was in political disarray Tuesday after Prime Minister George Papandreou's surprise decision to put the euro rescue plan to a national referendum, a move that caused at least one lawmaker to quit the ruling party and others to call for the premier's resignation. Milena Apostolaki defected from Papandreou's Socialist Party a day after the Greek leader an ...

Greece. 30th October 2011   No Pay Movement occupies Athens Toll Station Media Summary About 150 members of the No Pay Movement occupied a toll station in Afidnes for four hours   About 150 members of the No Pay Movement, occupied for 4 hours the toll station in Afidnes, at the entrance and exit of Athens, allowing cars to pass without paying the tolls. From 4:30 to 8:00 pm, thousands of cars pass ...