Blood and tears

"100 billion euros of blood and tears," headlines Ta Nea, after the green light given by the government to the latest "economic recovery" package which will be applied from 2012-2015. The package "will certainly voted in after the European Council meeting scheduled for 23 June" claims the newspaper, which has details on the scale of the measures involved: these include "wage cuts, public service layoffs, new taxes that will also apply to pensioners and those on low incomes, a VAT increase, a reinforced drive to eradicate the black economy, and last but least, a massive and immediate privatisation of sports facilities, airports, water and electricity utilities, casinos, race tracks, telecoms companies and many other assets.” The Greeks can also look forward to “job cuts and strikes,” like the one planned for 15 June.