Greece's lenders are demanding that the government either saves or raises a further two billion euros within the first three months of 2012, on top of already imposed and newly planned austerity measures.
Ekathimerini reported sources revealed that following last weeks Troika inspection yet more financial demands are being made of the beleaguered nation.
The Troika consists of inspectors from the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank. They have demanded new proposals must be on the table by next month when inspectors return to Athens. Interim Prime Minister Lucas Papademos may have spoken too soon when he promised last week that no new tax increases will be imposed on Greek citizens, though it is doubtful that the weight of yet more austerity could actually be carried without civil disruption.
Pay cuts on all employees are due to be implemented on 1 January 2012 in what
Athens News describes as a "New Year's gift." The unelected Eurocrats demanding further austerity remain comfortably ensconced on the Euro gravy train, out of touch with the reality of emergency taxes draining the lifeblood of ordinary citizens.
The stark reality of austerity is highlighted by the increasing number of
children starving in schools. Mary Pini of the Family Support Centre of the Archdiocese said "if a child is starving, so is the rest of the family."
