(7 Nov 2012) SHOTLIST
++NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Top shot zoom in to protesters and riot police on street; fire in middle of street; fire bomb exploding
2. Pull out of fire bomb exploding on street; protesters hurling other burning objects amidst heavy smoke
3. Tilt-up to protesters throwing burning objects at riot police; fire burning in street; UPSOUND: explosions
4. Wide of protesters in front of parliament
STORYLINE:
Greek protesters clashed violently with riot police outside the Greek parliament on Wednesday, as lawmakers gathered to debate, and later in the day vote, on new austerity measures needed to avoid bankruptcy
More than 80,000 people gathered outside Parliament as violent protesters threw fire bombs and rocks at police, who responded with stun grenades, tear gas and the first use of water cannon in Greece in years.
Inside the building, lawmakers interrupted the debate as Parliament employees went on strike to protest wage cuts.
Greece's fragile coalition government faces its toughest test yet when lawmakers vote on the austerity measures.
The 13.5 (b) billion euros (17.3 billion US dollars) package is expected to scrape through, following a hasty one-day debate. But any defections or abstentions could severely weaken the conservative-led coalition formed in June.
The Greek Parliament has to approve the package of spending cuts and tax increases agreed with the country's international creditors so that it can continue receiving vital bailout loans.
The next loan instalment of 31.5 billion euros (40.1 billion US dollars), out of a total of 240 (b) billion euros (306 billion US dollars), is already five months overdue and without it, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has said, Greece will run out of euros on November 16.
If Athens cannot raise sufficient funds otherwise, it will quickly find it impossible to pay its huge debts. The government would then be forced into reissuing its old currency, the drachma, to pay bills and wages.
As well as pushing the country out of the 17-country group that uses the euro, this could trigger a nightmare of bank runs, hyperinflation and currency depreciation that would vaporise savings and put even the most basic goods out of the reach of many Greeks.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
