Greek workers paralyze Athens ahead of pensions vote

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS

Thousands of pro-communist protesters brought the center of the Greek capital to a halt on Saturday in a demonstration against the government’s proposed pension and tax reforms.

The march organized by the communist-affiliated PAME union came as lawmakers debated the bill proposed by the left-leaning Syriza government ahead of a vote on Sunday night, the Athens Macedonian News Agency reported.

More than 20,000 demonstrators gathered in Syntagma Square in front of parliament. Further rallies are expected Sunday.

A nationwide strike was declared Friday in protest at the bill, which will overhaul the pension system and introduce higher contributions. The proposals were introduced to satisfy requirements for Greece’s third international bailout but have triggered months of protests.

The government ordered all major roads in the center of the capital to be blocked Saturday.

The strike disrupted public transport, leaving travelers stranded as island ferries were canceled until Tuesday.

“The government is attempting to surprise Greek society and vote summarily on the social security bill over the weekend, which will be the final blow to the welfare system and start a new tax raid,” the main public transport union said in a statement.

Earlier Saturday, members of the police officers’ union occupied Syriza’s main office in Athens.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras initially came to power in January 2015, promising to repeal austerity measures imposed by previous governments under a deal for the country to receive international rescue loans.

After months of negotiations with Greece’s international lenders Tsipras called a referendum and a new election last summer and dropped his anti-bailout stance.

Talks on further reforms as part of the country’s third bailout have been ongoing for six months.