Clashes erupt as Greek Parliament debates austerity measures

CNN.com ^ | February 12, 2012 | By the CNN Wire Staff

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Athens, Greece (CNN) -- Police turned tear gas and stun grenades on protesters outside Greece's parliament Sunday as lawmakers inside debated another round of austerity measures.

Riot police dispersed many of the demonstrators, who were protesting plans for new cuts in government spending, wages and pensions in return for a new eurozone bailout of the debt-stricken country.

Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has urged approval of the deal, warning in a speech to the Cabinet Saturday evening of "social explosion, chaos" if it fails.

"The state will not be able to pay salaries and pensions or import basic goods" such as medicine and fuel, he warned, adding that "unemployment, which is currently unacceptably high, would increase even higher."

Ultimately, Papademos said, if parliament rejects the deal, Greece -- already in the midst of a prolonged recession -- would be "bankrupted and out of the eurozone."

But protesters criticizing the plan have demonstrated for days.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Coming to America.

[EGPWS]

Coming to America.

As long as government sticks to the budget that was voted into place we will be fine....

[fortheDeclaration]

austerity=living within your means, in other words-reality.

[fortheDeclaration]

That is a joke right?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Oldeconomybuyer, additional.

• Riots spread as Greek lawmakers OK austerity bill
• Athens buildings burn as lawmakers weigh austerity