ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Tens of thousands of Greeks marched through central Athens Wednesday in the first general strike since the country's coalition government was formed in June, as the prime minister and finance minister hammered out a package of €11.5 billion ($14.87 billion) in spending cuts.
Everyone from shopkeepers and pharmacists to teachers, customs workers and car mechanics joined the demonstration of about 50,000 people in a strike seen as a test of public tolerance for more hardship after two years of harsh spending cuts and tax hikes.
Greece's politicians have struggled to come up with more austerity measures that would be acceptable to the country's rescue creditors, with disagreements arising between the three parties that make up the coalition government.
Ferry services were suspended, schools, shops and gas stations were closed and hospitals were functioning on emergency staff.
Everyone from shopkeepers and pharmacists to teachers, customs workers and car mechanics joined the demonstration of about 50,000 people in a strike seen as a test of public tolerance for more hardship after two years of harsh spending cuts and tax hikes.
Greece's politicians have struggled to come up with more austerity measures that would be acceptable to the country's rescue creditors, with disagreements arising between the three parties that make up the coalition government.
Ferry services were suspended, schools, shops and gas stations were closed and hospitals were functioning on emergency staff.
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