07/11/2012 19:18
Greece faces protests
The Greek government overcame divisions on Wednesday to defeat an early challenge to an austerity package needed to secure vital international aid, but it still faced internal dissent and angry protests ahead of a final vote.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected to narrowly win support for the budget cuts, tax hikes and labour reforms in a parliamentary vote late in the evening. The smallest party in his conservative-liberal coalition opposes the measures.
Tens of thousands of union workers were planning to gather near parliament at around 1500 GMT, on the second day of a nationwide strike that has halted public transport, shut schools, banks and government offices, and caused garbage to pile up on streets.