Merkel cuts spark protest call

Article reports that Germany’s public sector workers called on the 8 June 2010 for mass demonstrations against the government’s plans for drastic cuts in social spending, in the first signs of an organised backlash against the €80bn austerity package announced by Angela Merkel, German chancellor the previous day.

However, the budget measures were broadly welcomed by German industry and economists for focusing on spending cuts rather than across-the-board tax increases.

ESO: Background information: Merkel ready to make spending cuts http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-ready-to-make-spending-cuts/

Deutsche Welle, 8.6.10: German austerity plan faces widespread criticism http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5662951,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 8.6.10: Merkel's Austerity Program Is 'Faint-Hearted and Unbalanced' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,699416,00.html

EurActiv, 14.6.10: Weakened Merkel to face crucial EU summit http://www.euractiv.com/en/priorities/weakened-merkel-face-crucial-eu-summit-news-495176

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