Greek parliament approves budget for 2017
Lawmakers in Greece have approved the government-proposed budget for 2017, which includes a set of of new, unpopular austerity measures demanded by international lenders.
On Saturday, the Greek parliament passed by a vote of 152 to 146 a budget of continued austerity, which imposes levies of around one billion dollars in extra taxes on cars, fixed telephone services, fuel, tobacco, coffee, and other items.
Public spending on salaries and pensions will also be cut by nearly six billion dollars based on the new budget.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who strongly supported the cuts, said it would mark Greece’s “final exit” from its nearly decade-long financial crisis. Speaking at the parliament before the vote, Tsipras predicted that 2017 would be a “landmark year” with a 2.7-percent economic growth. He also said the assessment of plans for Greece’s future bailout programs will be completed soon, without additional austerity measures.
The proposed budget is an attempt to comply with the requirements set by the country’s international creditors. Athens has to reduce public spending, facilitate job layoffs, and introduce higher taxes to accumulate enough income to pay off its bailout.
Last July, Greece signed a deal with its creditors — the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — to receive a EUR 86-billion bailout in exchange for austerity reforms.
The agreement triggered outrage among the Greek public, who recall how Tsipras campaigned on a harsh anti-austerity platform for prime ministership and won their votes but made a U-turn after being elected.
Greece has already received three bailouts — in 2010, 2012 and this year — worth a total of EUR 315 billion from its creditors following the economic crisis that hit the country back in 2009.
Over the past weeks and prior to the Saturday approval of the new austerity measures, Greece had been the scene of nationwide protests. More protests are expected with the ratification of the budget.
Last week, Eurozone lenders approved a series of short-term relief measures to help Greece repay its huge public debt, which will reach 315 billion euros this year. However, the EU and IMF creditors should conclude a final audit of Greece’s reform next year to allow the country to enjoy fresh bailout funds.
Spain bars Israel from 2025 security expo over Gaza, Lebanon genocide
Spain cancels arms deal with Israeli company worth billions over Gaza war
EU's Borrell renews call for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Lebanon
Latest ballots polls show Harris, Trump tied as voting continues
UNRWA warns of humanitarian collapse in Gaza
'Hello my enemies': Lebanese journalist on Israeli threats and his resolve to continue
Outrage in France as MP proposes bill to ban criticism of Israel
VIDEO | The strategy of Hezbollah in war
Israeli military withdraws several brigades from southern Lebanon: Report
48-year-old Palestinian man serving 48 life terms completes 22 years in Israeli jails
From MKO to Tondar, how Germany became safe haven for anti-Iran terror groups
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
