As Greek government officials wrangle with the country’s international creditors over the economic reforms and austerity that must be enforced to unlock rescue loans, thousands of Greeks are expected to walk off the job on Thursday. The 24-hour walkout would be first general strike under the leftist-led Syriza party, which came to power in January on a promise to fight austerity and was re-elected in September, after months of tough negotiations with lenders, on a pledge to enforce the country’s third international bailout as painlessly as possible.
The strike is expected to shut down public services and is likely to disrupt public transportation and flights. Echoing broader social discontent with years of austerity that have slashed living standards, Greek labour unions oppose plans for further tax increases and pension cuts.
Eurozone finance ministers are expected to discuss Greece’s progress in fulfilling the terms of the bailout in a meeting in Brussels on Monday. Greek officials and creditors have been at odds over several economic reforms that are required for the release of the first installment of 2 billion euros in loans from the bailout.
