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21:50, 21-Jun-2017
Greek protesters demand government quit
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By CGTN’s Eirini Zarkadoula
Another summer of political turbulence is expected in Greece. As Greek people grew weary of the cuts the country's government approved, a new movement emerged – demanding the country's government quit.
A man waves a Greek flag during an anti-government rally outside the Greek parliament building in Athens, Greece, June 20, 2017. /VCG Photo
A man waves a Greek flag during an anti-government rally outside the Greek parliament building in Athens, Greece, June 20, 2017. /VCG Photo
The movement's name is "Quit.” It brings together professors, lawyers, writers, and businessmen, who say Greeks are tired of the government's austerity policies.
“We believe the government destroys the country, makes the country poor. Nobody will invest here. The government presents everything as victories. But now we have a fourth bailout package,” said author Thanassis Chimonas.
This comes after the Eurogroup meeting on June 15, where Greece's fate and the dispute between Germany and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about the country's much-needed debt relief were the focus.
Protesters chant slogans of “resign” in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens, Greece, June 20, 2017. /VCG Photo
Protesters chant slogans of “resign” in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens, Greece, June 20, 2017. /VCG Photo
The debt-laden country left last week's Eurogroup meeting with a 9.5-billion-US-dollars loan. Securing the installment was becoming increasingly urgent as Athens has a big repayment due next month.
Moreover, the cabinet hopes the “lifesaving” loan will help the country tap the international bond markets again, since Greece has been forced to rely on bailouts since those markets lost faith in its economy in 2010.
An outright cut to Greece's debt is not allowed under rules governing the euro, but the length of time the country has to back its debts can be extended, and the interest rates on those debts can be cut.
Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a rally outside the Greek parliament building in Athens, Greece, June 20, 2017. /VCG Photo
Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a rally outside the Greek parliament building in Athens, Greece, June 20, 2017. /VCG Photo
For austerity-weary Greeks, the latest deal is unlikely to mean much change any time soon. Desperate citizens cannot cope with this new way of life with no jobs or money. It seems the summer will be a difficult one both for Greeks and their politicians.