New walkouts paralyse Greece

By Jana Weigand

Date: Wednesday 24 Feb 2010

A massive strike has shut down air, rail and maritime transport in Greece as tens of thousands protest against the government’s austerity measures.

There are no flights in and out of the country's airports, with train, bus and ferry services also cancelled nationwide.

Government offices, schools and universities are all shut, while hospitals have brought in emergency staff.

Journalists are also on a 24-hour strike, meaning that no newspapers will be published.

European finance ministers told Greece last week that they have until 16 March to show that it can make big spending cuts to bring its deficit down to 8.7% this year.

Greece’s current deficit is currently a massive 12.7% of economic output.

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