Critical week for the economy

A critical week begins for the Greek economy on Monday, as the Medium-Term fiscal programme, the ratification of which has been set by the EU as a condition for the smooth financing of Greece, goes before the parliament plenary.

The programme will be put to a vote in parliament on Wednesday amidst reactions by the opposition and trade unions, while its Implementation Law will be voted on by the House on Thursday.

Greece's two major umbrella federations, GSEE and ADEDY, representing the private and public sectors respectively, have called a nationwide 48-hour strike on Tuesday and Wednesday while the Medium-Term programme is being debated and voted on in the 300-seat parliament, in protest against the austerity measures and the Medium-Term programme, as well as the planned privatisations of state utilities and organisations.