World

Greeks Face Power Outages Due to Austerity Strikes

Greeks Face Power Outages Due to Austerity StrikesATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece faced power outages on Monday as employees at the main power utility began 48-hour rolling strikes to protest the company’s privatization, part of austerity plans needed to avoid a national debt default.

The sell-off of state assets in the power company is a major step in a euro50 billion ($71 billion) privatization drive that must be completed by 2015. It is part of highly unpopular austerity plans, including more tax hikes and spending cuts, that must be passed by Parliament by the end of the month if Greece is to get the next euro12 billion installment of its euro110 billion bailout next month.

Without the funds, Greece will be unable to pay its debts as of the middle of July, triggering a default that would rock financial markets in Europe and abroad.

The power company, known by its acronym DEH, said nine small and large thermoelectric units were already offline as of Monday morning due to the strike, and appealed to consumers to limit their use of electricity, particularly during the midday heat, when air conditioning use is at its peak.

It said it was preparing hour-long power cuts in several areas if that became necessary.

Greece has seen near-daily protests against the belt-tightening that has slashed salaries and pensions in an attempt to stem a ballooning national debt.

“We are on strike because, believe it or not, I feel that they – the government and its measures – have taken my smile away, have robbed me of my life as well as my children’s future,” said electrician Giorgos Maleskos. “My only income comes from this job. After 33 years of work, we have got to the point of wondering if we will be able to survive.”

The start of the strike came as Greece’s new finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, was meeting his colleagues from the eurozone in Luxembourg for a second day. Talks overnight did not produce a final agreement on the next installment of rescue loans or on a broader, second bailout expected in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.

The country’s embattled prime minister, George Papandreou, was also heading to Brussels for meetings with EU President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso later Monday.

On Tuesday, Papandreou faces a vital confidence vote in the new government he announced on Friday, when he reshuffled his cabinet amid a major political crisis.

Talks between Papandreou and the head of the conservative opposition party, Antonis Samaras, on forming a coalition government had collapsed two days earlier while an anti-austerity rally and demonstration degenerated into riots on the streets of Athens.

Facing a mountain of debt coupled with a massive budget deficit, Greece was granted the euro110 billion package of rescue loans in May 2010 to prevent it from defaulting on its debts. In return, it has been passing strict budget cuts and tax hikes in an effort to reform its economy.

But the cuts have led to a recession, and the country is now in negotiations for a second bailout – which Papandreou said Sunday would be roughly the same size as the first. European officials fear a default by Greece could set off a chain reaction that would shake Europe’s banking system and economy, and drag down other financially troubled eurozone countries such as Portugal, Ireland and Spain. Both Portugal and Ireland have also taken bailouts since Greece did.

While European officials concede another bailout is needed, they have not agreed on the conditions.

Comments (76)

1 2
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:59am

    scotty bail me out, there’s no money down here.

    Report Post »  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:57am

    bailouts….bailouts…..bailouts. when the bailouts stop thst’s when the WAR begins.

    Report Post »  
  • leftcoastslut
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:46am

    greece is trying to rid itself of socialism and obaba is gobbling it up… go figure.

    if the US would stop the food stamp program and the schools would stop with the free lunches and breakfasts through the summer i would open a soup kitchen, i could feed the masses, turn a profit and employ several people….

    Report Post »  
  • turkey13
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:46am

    I can‘t understand why the government of Greece just won’t give everthing for free. Have all the pay checks go to the government and everything will be just great. If someone has more than their neighbor just have cops go in and take the extra and give it to everyone. Very – very simple.

    Report Post »  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:38am

    BO are you watching? this is what happens when the STATE runs everything. but i’m sure the marxist in chief thinks he can do it right.

    Report Post »  
  • Whostolemypig
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:38am

    Have no fear, Obama is here. He’ll bail you out no matter how much he has to rob from the Americans.
    His motto is rob from the rich and give to the poor until we all are poor and cutting each others throat for a small piece of bread. It’s all part of the plan to keep people in perpetual servitude.

    Report Post »  
  • Hiswill
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:37am

    You take and take and take some more. Nothing left, then you riot. Greece is trying to save it self from total collapse. The riots are only making matters worse.

    Report Post » Hiswill  
  • TRILO
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:32am

    Nothing like the mindset of a union employee. Lets strike and hurt ourselves and neighbors in the process. These people blame the politicians and bankers but they have had a hand in their own fate. There is no free ride in this world.

    Report Post » TRILO  
  • wash1776
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:15am

    This is what happens when a country gives too much away courtesy of the taxpayers. People get greedy and only care about what they want. I am sure it will be difficult to get used to some of these measures but something needs to be done for Greece to get back on track. The can is no longer going to be able to be kicked down the road there or in this country either. Chickens always come home to roost!

    Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:11am

    Want to blame someone, then blame people who take free stuff from the government which is most the people in Greece and other socialist nations.

    Report Post »  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:05am

    Damn your, reality!!! History indicates that no AC in the coming months will take its toll on the elderly. I wonder if that, too, will take Mr. Maleskos’s smile.
    Why, oh, why must the world keep playing this game of delaying the inevitable? The longer these systems are kept on life support, the more catastrophic and prolonged the ACTUAL hard times will be. I’m not wishing ill upon anyone, but is this not the definition of insanity? At some point, folks, the piper demands to be paid, so to speak. The comeuppance from greed and irresponsibility is overdue. When your response to saving your country is to not only say you must not be made to sacrifice, but that you will also make others suffer, I believe your stance is made loud and clear: It’s all about ME!
    Insanity… coming to a state near year.

    Report Post »  
  • Texas Grasshopper
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:00am

    dont be so hard on the greek citizens ..what is the difference between them and us . It seems I cannot stop the schools form building palaces , the welfare state from rewarding all forms of inactivity , the Polictitians from destroying our economic system and selling us out. Thier Politicians sold them out also . Just saying ..be careful ..the average Greek surivies but using a Black Market System because they cannot afford the legit system …I would welcome feedback on this

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:59am

      Indeed this will be the future of our own country under the socialists and Progressives that want such a system. The black market will predominate and gain control over many sections of the government as they did in the old Soviet Union, and still do to a degree today in the new Russian Federation.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • psst
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:57am

    Greece and Spain are going down the tubes.
    Both are huge socialist countries. their citizenries have been taught that big government is the answer to all their problem.
    Fareeeeeed, the CNN radical marxist Moselem just said that big government is the answer. he praised the glories of socialist Germany.
    Fareeed forgot to remember that Germany does not have 50%+ plus of its citizenry on the Fed dole.and the workers are taxed at an unsustainable rate.
    Fareed did not mention that Mercedes just moved part of their plant to the US in the RTW areas to get away from excessive taxes and union demands.
    Socialism is a big Ponzi/Pyrramid scheme, like social-[ist in]-security Eventually One runs out of OPM..The Pyramid may take nearly a hundred years to crumble, unlike the usual com-man pyramid that takes years, because it is run by guvmints. Germany’s time will eventually comes.Socialism always fails in the long term.
    Spain and Greece “Must” come here. Fed and State union workers have bankrupt the country, along w/ out of control fed spendiing and borrowing. When lemmings stop receiivng their guvment goodies, their will be Riots, Burning and Looting across the country.This IS a certaiinty
    The teachers unions ,college profs and the MSM have been successful in dumbing the majority of the population. The lemmings just know that guvmint is the answer,the bigger, the better.They don’t realize they are useful idiots awaiting their master whips./lashes

    Report Post »  
    • Erabin
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:32am

      You forgot the incredible economic boom Germany is currently going through despite dragging Greece, Portugal and Ireland behind it.

      Oh, it wouldn’t fit your stupid point. Sorry, my bad.

      Report Post »  
  • thermonator
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:55am

    Is this that new “green” economy everyone is talking about?

    Report Post » thermonator  
  • endgamer
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:48am

    Wait till the NEW World Order elites start executing them en masse. The smell of death will definitely take your smile away then. The incinerators will not be able to burn the bodies fast enough..

    Report Post » endgamer  
  • Texas Grasshopper
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:42am

    Folks read this report from Greece …from a guy in Athens . something to think about ..

    http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/we-are-doomed-an-on-the-ground-report-from-greece_06162011

    Report Post »  
    • vennoye
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:16am

      Thank you for this link!!! How sad for the people of Greece on the ground! How true that all the countries’ assets are being sold to “Private Capital”. This will fall like dominoes lined up in a row. America could stop this here if we were not so totally divided……that is why I am so angry at how they have played us!!! I HATE being stupid……….and I have been by buying into the lies and division!!

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • NJTMATO
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 11:12am

      GREAT LINK TEXAS!!!!! Thank you very much!

      Report Post » NJTMATO  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:40am

    Unions and the government working together are destroying America and that is it!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • tyler_durden
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:34am

    Ha ha how’s that marxism workin out for ya Greece?! Amazing! Greece had the great philosophers and helped creat advancements in society they were the highpoint of culture. And now devastated by marxism willfully. Nice.

    Report Post »  
    • Erabin
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:28am

      Greece is a social democratic republic with a capitalist economy dude.

      Report Post »  
  • powhatan
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:32am

    Brilliant….the workers cut off their noses to spite their faces…..What ever happened to good old ..pitch in and let’s get through this with hard work and determination? Yes, it is going to be tough…not fun…not rewarding…in a word..probably will suck…but…..we can get through it….TEACh your children..sometimes to NOT listen to their school teachers…Make some plans…..store up some food and water…learn to cook…learn to sew…learn to garden…Come on folks!!!!

    Report Post » powhatan  
    • NJTMATO
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:17am

      Right there with you Powhatan! Have researched and planted my heirloom seed garden, got canned goods, got freeze dried goods, got water, getting water purification, got a smoker, got a fire pit, got emergency medicine, got a short wave radio…….just now have to convince my family that I’m really NOT crazy! Ha! It’s comming, don’t know when, but the more time I have to prepare, the better off we’ll be. Money isn’t going to matter much, it will be food, water, skills and instinct….do have a bit of gold and silver though…….Everyone needs to do what they can….and try to prepare for your neighbors. I’m going to bring this subject to my Church elders to see if we can do a small survival plan so our congregation knows how to live.

      Report Post » NJTMATO  
  • Mandors
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:28am

    Really a stupid strategy. They cut off power, food spoils, restaurants can’t open, websites go down, the economy gets worse. Got to love union mentality.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • suzy000
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:24am

    Got to pay the piper sometime….as long as the government was saying YES to everyone…they were all fat and happy. Now that they have run out of OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY….the citizens are now angry at the spenders. Time to get mad was 30 years ago…people….now all you can do is buckle up and do with less. America is just learning this now.

    Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:23am

    European Socialism is failing, why is Professor O’Barry pushing us toward it? Let’s be honest, Professor O‘Barry hates America and won’t be satisfied until he has destroyed it.

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • Mandors
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:31am

      Barry’s “America” is his core constituents–people on government aid. That’s it. The self sufficient part of this country never has and never will concern him. So running the country into the ground will not affect anyone he cares about.

      Report Post » Mandors  
    • obama-mecca-me-sick
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:35am

      The only problem with their New World Order plan is America is not failing quick enough. They need Europe and US to fail. We have Hussein O‘Barry in place to speed up the demise and they are very concerned he won’t be reelected. He is following the European model for failure and we the people are taking it. Every freedom loving American should be in front of the WhiteHouse demanding the usurpers impeachment. Of course if we did that, the dems will declare us domestic terrorist. Do you think they would open fire on us? I wonder what the response would be…

      Report Post »  
    • vennoye
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:51am

      Look at the article again……..Private-Public Partnership takes over again. Bottom line to all this is to get federal, state, local governments into so much debt and deficit that they must sell to “Private” Capital to be able to continue. Pretty soon, private capital owns EVERYTHING. Big benefits/salary to public service unions just speed up the debt so private corporations own it all sooner. That is why it is so stupid for left and right to be at each other’s throats over Big Government VS Big Business…..IT IS THE SAME DEMON!!!!

      Report Post » vennoye  
    • hauschild
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:03am

      European socialism is failing, but for whom?

      Let‘s remember what the Marxist’s ultimate goal is – to bring down the middle more to the level of the lower. So, in that regard, it is working.

      Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:12am

      Agreed Nickderinger.

      Report Post » hi  
  • kentuckypatriot
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:13am

    After reading this article, it makes me wonder if the workers in our power plants are union. Does anyone know? It’s a scary thought if something like this happened here in the US.

    Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
  • ILUVAMERICA
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:12am

    It’s a coming!!!!!!!
    Be prepared!
    Bilderberg-Approved Perry Set to Become Presidential Frontrunner

    http://www.prisonplanet.com/bilderberg-approved-perry-set-to-become-presidential-frontrunner.html

    Report Post » ILUVAMERICA  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:44am

      I have news for you.

      Not that it is coming, it is already here. The first waves of the storm have been hitting on shore for a while now; the greatest force is now on the horizon and the final warning is being given.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 12:01pm

      was there ever a doubt ?

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:10am

    .
    Turn out the lights, the Free Rides over…………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • hauschild
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:22am

      I couldn’t care less about Greece – for the most part – as they are reaping what they have sown. I don’t think it will get quite to that level in the states, because we’ve managed to address the fundamental issue with public sector employment earlier.

      I just hope everybody realizes that the public sector worker also needs some of the blame also. They were taking and taking and taking, and it’s not like anybody had a gun to their heads to take the wealth of other people, most of it which has still yet to be earned.

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:30am

      .
      Wait just Wait. When they finaly start taking away WIC, Food Stamps and any of the People of Color Programs. Those uneducated fool’s will run out in the street and burn their own house down. We don’t have to worry about them turning out the lights, they don’t work anyway…….

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:39am

      The problem is; nothing happens in economic isolation. Everything is interlinked and interlocked.

      If Greece defaults, and there is a good chance that she will, then this will upset the economic balance of Europe. Interest rates will rise and will likely cause Spain to follow suit. If that happens, then every country’s economy will stumble. Those nations that have very high levels of debt (as a percentage of GDP) will face crippling interest rates and a shortage of lenders. This is because governments do not produce wealth and must borrow from people who will be loathe to send good money after bad. Government bond investors for one example.

      The ensuing fallout will allow extremist parties to gain a foothold and we can all guess what the likely outcome of that will be.

      This is why the European Union is desperate for Greece to get its economy under control, whatever it takes, and is promising a bailout if they can manage it. It is a desperate time, for both nations and citizens, and we can‘t watch from the other side of the planet and think that we won’t be affected.

      All nations should be hastily putting their economic affairs in order and making the tough decisions. Those that can’t – or won’t – face calamity.

      We should all be hoping that, against the odds, Greece manages to stumble through this crisis.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:43am

      @SpankdaMonkey:

      That is quite true – when the goodies here in America start getting cut out or reduced, many of those people will howl to the tops of the mountains and be determined to shake the White House and the land for ‘daring to take away their hard earned rightfull benefits.’

      If we are able to make the first reductions now in time; then we can make the difference in saving the nation with a smaller level of pain and disruption than when drastic and radical moves are needed.

      Spain and Italy are also beginning to move the same direction as Greece. Also, there are accounts of power outages, high interest rates, debts, etc happening in good old Venusuela as well, along with civil unrest building slowly.

      We may be seeing the first rumblings of the storm coming from the south, in additon from the east in Europe.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:49am

      @NZKiwi:

      Look southward unto Venuzuela: there are the first rumblings of an massive economic earthquake building there as well, and that can chain react across the southern continent as well.

      After years of drought, the Chineese have been hit by massive flooding now displacing between 1 -2 million people according to some Indian News websights.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 8:56am

      That’s right, Snow, to your first paragragh.

      Regardless of fault, people will become desperate and angry. Frightened people make poor decisions and will turn to whomever promises salvation. This is precisely how the Nazis came to power.

      To the rest of your post; I agree.

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:00am

      Our posts are out of sync, Snow.

      I meant the first paragragh of your first post.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:00am

      @NZKiwi:

      Indeed, and do not be suprised if there is a strike by power plant workers; the administration will be more than happy to find a means to nationalize them for ‘the good of the nation energy sector.’ And without any form of private control over it, we will be at the mercy of the Fed’s again.

      Imagine in Phoenix where in summer it hits 110 or higher; then the city disagrees with something in a fed policy – good old power goes off for a few days to ‘convince people otherwise.’

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:00am

      They tried to put the “smart meter” on my house the other day…I said you will need a court order to install it on my house. It wont stop them, only slow them down and piss them off. When they do cut off my electrisity or it gets too high, I can survive without it…Can you?

      It’s coming, like it or not. Only fools aren’t prepared. Folls like JZS.

      Report Post »  
    • fastfacts
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:17am

      THE GREEK PROTESTERS ARE FREE-LOADERS

      When the government tried to cut spending, the Greeks fought them. When the country tried to sell of some of its islands, the protesters rioted, vandalized, and hurt the country.

      But this is not a bad thing completely because the socialist party is losing control and power. ( http://tiny.cc/e72os )

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:21am

      JZS is no fool, Dusty. Just has a different take on things. Every now and then I find myself agreeing with him/her.

      Report Post »  
    • Gold Coin & Economic News
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:25am

      It’s coming here with idiots like Van Jones stirring up the masses.

      Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:31am

      If people die due to the heat (primarily the elderly and the very young) because of these rolling blackouts, the people who have called for these “strikes” should be preosecuted for murder……if they want to protest their discontent with their government, that is fine…..as long as they do it on their own time……they need to understand that everything is not about “them”……and if they want to throw a “hissy-fit”, be man enough t o do it without causing harm to someone who is innocent…….that idiot electrician needs a swift kick in the pants to bring the “smile” back to his face……

      Report Post »  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:34am

      It’s amazing to watch these people fight with everything they have to resist becoming financially responsible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWDHs-GnHh8

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 9:54am

      They are frightened, lovenfl3. Frightened people don’t think clearly. Neither do desperate people, and many are becoming very desperate. One in six is unemployed and the immediate prospects are dim. Businesses are failing daily and in large numbers. It is true to say that gross socialist mismanagement has brought this crisis about but saying it doesn’t help.

      If I and my young family lived in Greece, I’d be terrified.

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 10:44am

      GIVE ME WHAT I WANT OR I’LL TAKE AWAY YOUR ELECTRICITY!!

      How disgusting and HATEFUL and FASCIST is THAT!?!?!

      Oh, wait a minute – Congress currently prohibits the central valley farms of California from using any of the water FOR WHICH THEY MUST STILL PAY – all in the name of “saving the delta smelt” or some such fish.

      Then, when Congress wants to force California to do something, they offer to turn “some” of the water back on.

      It is all about power-lust, greed, and control.

      Take away a resource that people are dependent upon and they will do just about ANYTHING to get it back.

      This

      must

      STOP.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Dont-hate-on-me-2
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 1:08pm

      cant eh brian-washed masses see that Greece is coming here, hope a majority of them can wake up.

      Report Post » Dont-hate-on-me-2  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 1:30pm

      hauschild

      You better start caring. Who do you think is going to bail them out with borrowed money? Your kids.
      Then we’ll forgive the debit and bail out states like Cal. after all we saved Greece for an other month why not the public sector unions in Cal. You pay for all of this.

      Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on June 20, 2011 at 4:29pm

      Cut off your nose, to spite your face. This is what happens when entitlements become a way of life.

      Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love