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GREEK LAWMAKERS HAVE adopted another batch of controversial spending cuts and tax hikes, two days before a crunch eurozone meeting expected to unlock the next tranche of much-needed bailout funds for the debt-ridden nation.
The 7,000-page bill that raises the sales tax cap and introduces a contingency mechanism to slash spending further in case of budget overruns was passed thanks to the Syriza-led coalition government’s slim majority in the 300-seat parliament, according to an AFP count.
All 153 of the coalition’s MPs voted in favour, while outside the parliament building in Athens more than 10,000 people protested against the unpopular reforms.
Syriza MP Vassiliki Katrivanou, however, voted against several of the bill’s articles and later resigned from the party, citing a “deep political and existential impasse”.
“We (Syriza) implement measures and policies that are against the core of our values and also of our politics but I cannot think of any other trustworthy alternative. That’s why I resign,” she wrote on Facebook, handing her seat back to the party.
She had voted for the bill overall but against the articles calling for the contingency mechanism and the creation of a state privatisation fund.
The so-called contingency mechanism, labelled “the cutter” by Greek media and designed to cut spending if the country fails to meet fiscal targets in 2018, is of chief interest to Greece’s international creditors.
“European leaders get the message that Greece is sticking to its promises. Now, it’s their turn,” Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras said ahead of the vote.
EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici hailed the deal.
“A key step has been taken… towards the conclusion of the first stage of the Greek programme.”
Greece urgently needs the next tranche of bailout money to repay big loans to the European Central Bank (ECB) and IMF in July, and has already fallen behind in paying for everyday government duties and public sector wages.
Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, bottom, addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens
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I look forward to it.
Mise eire should be shown also.. A masterpiece solely on irish.
Excellente! I’m old enough to remember it as a young kid. It was a zillion times better than the shite Rebellion
Rebellion seriously fell flat. What on earth were RTE thinking..
……RTE (ministry for propaganda) were trying to take the fight out of us ! by making a wishy washy version of the rising that inspires no one, less we might look at our current rulers and re-run the rising and restore the democracy we once had.
They should bring back the original quick silver quiz show. It would be priceless.
Wanderly wagon too
And Forty Coates… Between that Wanderly Wagon and Bosco it’s pretty obvious the creators were out their nut on the mushies.
Aw, loved those shows as a child. Terrified of Whilomena the Whirligig Witch and Sneaky Snake.
Stop the lights !!!! What about Murphy agus a chairde ????
The TG4 documentary series, 1916 Seachtar na Cásca is with getting hold of. Really well researched and highly informative. It’s better than that nonsense Rebellion. Also, the 1916 documentary RTE just aired was also excellent.
*worth getting hold of.
Excellent, way better than crappy “Rebellion”.
What really is needed is a Blackie Connors spin off or Glenroe Nights.
Better call Blackie.
Boss
Its actually very good and theres no one from love hate
Have been watching episodes of the Riordans recently. Once you get past how dated it is, there really are some great scenes in it.
And get past Gabriel Byrne in a donkey jacket and wellies.Same with Bracken… If RTE had their way one of our finest actors would still be typecast as a farmer/farm labourer.
As a kid I hated the Riordans, it’s only with hindsight I realise how good it actually could be, and funny at times too.
Bracken was class, The wanderer son returns to face the Rich man that dove his father to his grave. Top Notch
Dàithi Laca
Rasher
Everything they Do Is Crap . Should just Scrap the Station
Good to see your degree in definitives is serving a purpose
Have you seen Insurrection Stephen?
Is it in HD?
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