Greek PM calls for unity before reform vote

Greece’s Prime Minister George Papandreou appealed for consensus on the 16 October 2011 ahead of a critical parliamentary vote to approve further structural reform, as unions geared up for fresh protests against the impact of deepening austerity on a country already mired in recession.

George Papandreou’s governing party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok), was itself in turmoil over the latest austerity measures agreed with the European Union and International Monetary Fund earlier in October 2011 in return for another €8bn loan tranche, while the conservative opposition refused to co-operate with the EU-IMF programme.

ESO: Background information: Greek cabinet approves budget cuts / Greece unveils draft budget for 2012 / Lenders want Athens to show more zeal http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-cabinet-approves-budget-cuts-greece-unveils-draft-budget-for-2012-lenders-want-athens-to-show-more-zeal/

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