Greek Workers Strike Again

As the Greek parliament begins to debate new austerity measures, workers have initiated a 48-hour general strike across the country. The stakes are high, as a failure to pass the measures makes it likely that Greece will default on its debt in the coming weeks. Greece is hoping for both the final 12 billion Euro installment of its first bailout, as well as a second 120 billion Euro bailout—money that the E.U. has made clear is contingent on passing the highly unpopular austerity measures. Police have deployed 5,000 in downtown Athens to quell the protesters. Airports, trains, buses, and ferries are also stopping service as their workers walk out.