Thousands of protesters have gathered in central Athens to rally against austerity measures the government plans to deal with the country's debt crisis.
Prime Minister George Papandreou has said new cuts and tax increases are inevitable is the country is to avoid default.
Greece, the European Union, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are expected to complete talks this weekend over the austerity measures Athens needs to implement as a condition for a rescue package.
The EU-IMF aid package would provide 45 billion euros ($60 billion) in loans this year and up to a reported 120 billion euros over three years.
Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos said today that the austerity measures the government was likely to implement as part of a the deal would be enough to help avert default on the country's debts,
The European Commission said negotiations on the loan package should be wrapped up by today, and a spokesman said eurozone finance ministers would meet to approve it on May 2.
The bailout is deeply unpopular in Greece because of the harsh conditions protesters say it will impose on ordinary people.
Earlier this week, police battled protesters in downtown Athens, and the country is bracing for a wave of work stoppages and strikes in the coming days, including a planned general strike on May 5.
According to a poll released on April 30 by the newspaper "Proto Thema," more than half of Greeks say they will take to the streets if the government agrees to the new austerity measures.
compiled from agency reports
Prime Minister George Papandreou has said new cuts and tax increases are inevitable is the country is to avoid default.
Greece, the European Union, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are expected to complete talks this weekend over the austerity measures Athens needs to implement as a condition for a rescue package.
The EU-IMF aid package would provide 45 billion euros ($60 billion) in loans this year and up to a reported 120 billion euros over three years.
Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos said today that the austerity measures the government was likely to implement as part of a the deal would be enough to help avert default on the country's debts,
The European Commission said negotiations on the loan package should be wrapped up by today, and a spokesman said eurozone finance ministers would meet to approve it on May 2.
The bailout is deeply unpopular in Greece because of the harsh conditions protesters say it will impose on ordinary people.
Earlier this week, police battled protesters in downtown Athens, and the country is bracing for a wave of work stoppages and strikes in the coming days, including a planned general strike on May 5.
According to a poll released on April 30 by the newspaper "Proto Thema," more than half of Greeks say they will take to the streets if the government agrees to the new austerity measures.
compiled from agency reports