Last week I wrote:
“As Greeks celebrate in the streets this week over the ‘no’ vote victory, these celebrations could turn to riots and civil unrest this time next week…”
My prediction has come true. But not for the reasons I predicted.
Rather than rioting on the basis of the declining supplies of food and medicine in the country and the lack of cash, protesters have hit the streets following the Greek government’s finally striking of a bail-out package with the EU.
Today, the ABC reported in its typically unbiased fashion:
“the package, the harshest set austerity measures introduced into the country, includes cuts to pensions and to spending, sweeping changes to labor laws, and tax hikes.”
(read: ‘accountability’)
And:
“Protesters took to the streets of Athens ahead of the vote, with petrol bombs being hurled at police outside parliament.”
Perhaps its my naivety, but I would have presumed that stubbornly refusing to do a deal with the EU to resolve its debt crisis and running out of money, food and medicine would be one of the greatest ‘austerity’ measure one could choose.
It seems the people of Greece fiercely disagree.