「ギリシャにチャンスを」ブルームバーグが社説でIMFなどが要求する財政緊縮策を批判

アメリカの通信社「ブルームバーグ」は、欧州委員会、欧州中央銀行、国際通貨基金(IMF)のいわゆる「トロイカ」と呼ばれる3つの機関がギリシャの財政状況にとって逆効果になりかねない不合理な政策を要求していると批判した。
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Workers work at the parliament building in Athens on November 18, 2014. In an effort to get voters back on side, the right-of-centre government has promised Greeks a complete end to years of painful rescue conditions that have become political poison in Athens. These efforts to end austerity in Greece, whose financial meltdown nearly destroyed the euro, come at a time of wider concern that the eurozone could fall back into recession. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images)
LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images

アメリカの通信社「ブルームバーグ」は、11月21日に「ギリシャにチャンスを」と訴える社説を掲載した。その中で、同社は欧州委員会、欧州中央銀行、国際通貨基金(IMF)のいわゆる「トロイカ」と呼ばれる3つの機関がギリシャの財政状況にとって逆効果になりかねない不合理な政策を要求していると批判した。

「ギリシャの債権者たちは、再び国の忍耐力を試している」とブルームバーグは社説で述べた。「債権者が圧力をかけ続ければ、ユーロ圏は解体してしまうだろう。解体になれば、ギリシャ国家同様、債権者にとっても災難となる」。

アントニス・サマラス首相は現在、「トロイカ」との困難な交渉に釘付けとなっている。この3機関は、2013年の春、ギリシャが財政危機に陥った時、ギリシャの財政を支援している。

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アントニス・サマラス首相

ロイターによると、「トロイカ」と、ギリシャ政府と債権者たちは、主に国の財政赤字について意見が分かれている。「トロイカ」は、ギリシャへの救済措置として金融支援を行う見返りとして、さらなる財政支出の削減を要求している。

ブルームバーグの社説によると、その支援策は過酷だ。「財政引き締めにより債務を減少させようとさらなる努力をしているが、ほぼ間違いなく失敗するからだ」と主張する。「財政緊縮の努力が、ギリシャを政治的に不安定にしていると思われているが、確かにそうであろう」。

ギリシャ政府は難しい立場に立たされている。なぜなら、多くのギリシャ人は、2013年に合意した金融支援の一環として、国が引き受けた財政緊縮政策に耐え切れなくなっているからだ。

ブルームバーグによると、ギリシャは過去5年間で主要な財政収支(利子支払い除く)を国内総生産(GDP)で10.6%の赤字から、1.5%の黒字に転換させた。1年で20億ユーロ以上の差だ。しかし、金融の引き締めによって、経済は失速した。ギリシャの生産高は約5分の1まで落ち、そして失業率は25%以上にまで達した。

ここにきて経済は回復基調にある。しかし、さらに引き締めが続くとこの成長の拡大局面が危険な状態に戻りかねない。債務に対するGDPの比率の削減目標が達成不可能になる可能性がある。この比率は、現在は180%である。そして、目標とするEU各国の平均は60%である。

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10月末に発表された世論調査によると、今ギリシャで総選挙を行えば、アレクシス・ツィプラス氏率いる左派スィリザ党が、首相サマラスの党に勝利するという予想が出た。

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スィリザ党のアレクシス・ツィプラス氏

ブルームバーグの社説によると、来年の選挙でスィリザ党が政権を取れば、欧州全体に影響が及ぶという。「ツィプラスは進んで一方的に、債権者に損失を強制するかも知れない」「ポルトガルやスペインの反対派の党も同様に勢いを失い、注意深く見守っているところだ。もし市場が債務不履行の高まりに動揺し始めれば、引き続き起こる混乱は、全ヨーロッパを危機に陥れるだろう」。

11月20日、ギリシャのカロロス・パプーリアス大統領は、ハフィントンポストのプレジデント兼編集長アリアナ・ハフィントンとの会見で、交渉を継続している「トロイカ」を激しく批判した。「トロイカ」はまるで「人間ではなく、岩にものを言っている」かのような振る舞いをしていると述べた。

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アリアナ・ハフィントン編集長と会見するパプーリアス大統領

同日、ハフィントンはこの会見の前に、ギリシャ人に「トロイカ」の要求を拒否すべきと求めていた。「ギリシャは厳しい局面に立たされています。私の意見を申し上げるならば、トロイカに対して『ノー』と表明することが大切だと思います」とハフィントンは語った。

ブルームバーグビューは、フランスやドイツなどの国は、ギリシャに財政緊縮の手段の追加を求めるのではなく、ギリシャが債務救済を必要としていることを認める方向に進むべきだと主張した。

財政上の勘定を理解するのは難しくはない。最終的に、何らかの方法で、ギリシャの債務は減額されるだろうし、このことは広く織り込み済みである。債務減免により、秩序正しく、そして最低限の被害で達成できる。なぜなら、もう一方の方法―無秩序な債務不履行―にかかるコストは、莫大なものになるからだ。

交渉の期限は12月8日である。

ギリシャ 債務危機
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Local Economy At Farmers Market As Troika Plan Return To Greece(45 of103)
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Customers select products to purchase beneath a giant one euro sign in a Euro store in Athens, Greece, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Troika officials representing IMF, ECB, EU Commission will return to Athens \'as soon as possible\' so that time frame is met, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos told reporters. Photographer: Kostas Tsironis/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Local Economy At Farmers Market As Troika Plan Return To Greece(46 of103)
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A customer uses euro coins to pay a farmer selling walnuts at his stall in a street market in Athens, Greece, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Troika officials representing IMF, ECB, EU Commission will return to Athens \'as soon as possible\' so that time frame is met, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos told reporters. Photographer: Kostas Tsironis/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Local Economy At Farmers Market As Troika Plan Return To Greece(47 of103)
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Greek national flags with a one euro price tag sit for sale at a Euro store in Athens, Greece, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Troika officials representing IMF, ECB, EU Commission will return to Athens \'as soon as possible\' so that time frame is met, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos told reporters. Photographer: Kostas Tsironis/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION-DEMO(48 of103)
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Pupils from music and special schools shout slogans and blow whistles as they demonstrate outside the parliament in Athens, on October 2, 2014, demanding funds for education, school transport and teachers. Greece\'s massive debt crisis nearly broke apart the eurozone. But after four years and a bailout worth up to 240 billion euros ($300 billion), Athens has largely repaired its finances and is eager to get free from the EU and IMF\'s tight budgetary and policy leash. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION-DEMO(49 of103)
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Pupils from music and special schools demonstrate outside the parliament in Athens, on October 2, 2014, demanding funds for education, school transport and teachers. Greece\'s massive debt crisis nearly broke apart the eurozone. But after four years and a bailout worth up to 240 billion euros ($300 billion), Athens has largely repaired its finances and is eager to get free from the EU and IMF\'s tight budgetary and policy leash. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-DEBT-EU-IMF-BONDS-BLAST(50 of103)
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Policemen search the wreckage of a booby-trapped car that exploded outside the Bank of Greece on April 10, 2014 in Athens. The blast did not injure anyone as police had time to clear the area but it shattered a euphoric climate cultivated for the long-awaited bond sale. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-DEBT-EU-IMF-BONDS-BLAST(51 of103)
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Riot police forces walk by the wreckage of a booby-trapped car that exploded outside the Bank of Greece on April 10, 2014 in Athens. The blast did not injure anyone as police had time to clear the area but it shattered a euphoric climate cultivated for the long-awaited bond sale. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF-STRIKE(52 of103)
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Communist affiliated protesters gather in central Athens on April 9, 2014 during a 24-hours general strike. Greek unions held a 24-hour anti-austerity strike today shutting down ferry services to the country\'s world-famous islands, disrupting rail travel and closing pharmacies and several government offices. They protest new labour reforms demanded by the country\'s EU-IMF creditors.\n AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF-STRIKE(53 of103)
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Teachers march in central Athens on April 9, 2014 during a 24-hours general strike. Greek unions held a 24-hour anti-austerity strike today shutting down ferry services to the country\'s world-famous islands, disrupting rail travel and closing pharmacies and several government offices. They protest new labour reforms demanded by the country\'s EU-IMF creditors.\n AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF-STRIKE(54 of103)
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Demonstrators hold a banner reading \'strike\' during a 24-hour general strike in Athens on April 9, 2014. Greek unions held a 24-hour anti-austerity strike today shutting down ferry services to the country\'s world-famous islands, disrupting rail travel and closing pharmacies and several government offices. They protest new labour reforms demanded by the country\'s EU-IMF creditors. \n AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION(55 of103)
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School teachers shout slogans against government\' reform in front of Education ministry in Athens on April 4, 2014. Greece\'s multi-billion-euro EU-IMF bailout in 2010 saved the country from bankruptcy, but the austerity measures dictated by the creditors plunged the country into a deep recession. \nAFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION(56 of103)
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A school teacher, surrounded by anti-riot police shouts slogans against government\' reform in front of Education ministry in Athens on April 4, 2014. Greece\'s multi-billion-euro EU-IMF bailout in 2010 saved the country from bankruptcy, but the austerity measures dictated by the creditors plunged the country into a deep recession. \nAFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
Greece Financiak Crisis(57 of103)
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Protesters sIt in front of a banner reading \"we strike against job cuts\" in front of Athens university as staff suspend all operations for one week in protest at the staff cuts. Hundreds of university administrative staff members held a protest march through central Athens against austerity measures that threaten their jobs on Tuesday Sept. 10, 2013. Debt inspectors from the international monetary rescue lenders, the so-called troika of the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are due back in Athens later this month. (AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-JOBS-PROTEST(58 of103)
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Teachers, who are on a a six-months mobility scheme and face layoffs at end of this week, march in central Athens on March 17, 2014, claiming their jobs back. Greece\'s multi-billion-euro EU-IMF bailout in 2010 saved the country from bankruptcy, but the austerity measures dictated by the creditors plunged the country into a deep recession. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-IMF-ECONOMY(59 of103)
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Civil servants clash with police in front of the finance ministry in Athens on February 28, 2104. Hundreds of jobless civil servants on Friday protested in Athens as the government met with EU-IMF creditors to finalise a new round of some 11,500 layoffs. AFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-IMF-ECONOMY(60 of103)
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A protestor is helped by people as she tries to breath after inhaling tear gas during clashes with police in front of the finance ministry in Athens on February 28,2104. Hundreds of jobless civil servants on Friday protested in Athens as the government met with EU-IMF creditors to finalise a new round of some 11,500 layoffs. AFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-DEBT-EU-IMF(61 of103)
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People walk in front of the Greek parliament in Athens on December 11, 2013. Greece is facing a sixth year of recession and unemployment reached 27.4 percent in September up from 26 percent in the same month last year. AFP PHOTO / Louisa Gouliamaki (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-PROPERTY-EU-IMF(62 of103)
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A picture taken on November 28, 2013 in Athens shows houses surrounding the acropolis hill. Rising poverty, pressure from creditors and a looming parliamentary revolt: Greece\'s government has its work cut out as it ponders whether to broaden home foreclosures to thin the ranks of evasive debtors. A law passed in 2010 currently protects the principal residence of debtors from outright seizure, providing a cushion of support in a country stuck in a six-year recession and four years of austerity cutbacks.The protective measure is set to lapse in January, and has become a major sticking point in negotiations between the so-called troika of creditors and the government in return for loans under from the Greek bailout agreement. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF(63 of103)
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High school students march on November 6, 2013 toward the Greek Parliament in Athens during a 24-hour strike. A general strike hit Greece on November 6, paralyzing public services and disrupting transport as EU-IMF auditors worked to finalize the recession-hit country\'s next budget, looking to eliminate a fiscal shortfall that could bring more unpopular cuts. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF(64 of103)
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High school students march on November 6, 2013 toward the Greek Parliament in Athens during a 24-hour strike. A general strike hit Greece on November 6, paralyzing public services and disrupting transport as EU-IMF auditors worked to finalize the recession-hit country\'s next budget, looking to eliminate a fiscal shortfall that could bring more unpopular cuts. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF(65 of103)
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Demonstrators march on November 6, 2013 in Athens during a 24-hour general strike. A general strike hit Greece on November 6, paralyzing public services and disrupting transport as EU-IMF auditors worked to finalize the recession-hit country\'s next budget, looking to eliminate a fiscal shortfall that could bring more unpopular cuts. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF(66 of103)
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Demonstrators march on November 6, 2013 in Athens during a 24-hour general strike. A general strike hit Greece on November 6, paralyzing public services and disrupting transport as EU-IMF auditors worked to finalize the recession-hit country\'s next budget, looking to eliminate a fiscal shortfall that could bring more unpopular cuts. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-DEMO(67 of103)
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Laid-off cleaning staff members of the Greek finance ministry shout slogans during a protest against job cuts outside the ministry in central Athens on October 17, 2013. Greece has been under a rescue loan program since 2010 from the IMF, the European Commission and the European Central Bank. Despite the efforts of the Greek government and its lenders, the economy remains in recession, contracting at a 4.6 percent pace in the second quarter this year, with unemployment hitting 27.6 percent in June. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-STRIKE(68 of103)
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Demonstrators shout slogans in central Athens on September 24, 2013, during a protest against the coalition government of conservative Prime Minister and Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors. Thousands of civil servants protested in Greece on Tuesday at the start of a fresh strike against job cuts pushed by the government in return for international bailout loans. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-JOBS-STRIKE(69 of103)
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Municipal workers, dressed in black, march in a mock funeral procession of the municipal police service, abolished by the government on September 23, 2013. The banner on the wreath reads\' today we bury municipal police\'. Greek teachers and municipal workers started a two-day strike to protest at the government\'s planned lay-offs and job transfers, one day after the launch of a new audit by the country\'s EU-ECB-IMF creditors. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-JOBS(70 of103)
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Municipal police march in central Athens on September 19, 2013 against the redeployment scheme and layoffs after government abolished their service. Civil servants are on a second day of strike against a job redeployment scheme demanded by Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors in return for access to bailout loans, and likely to bring additional layoffs in the recession-hit country. Greece\'s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 27.1 percent in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 27.4 percent in the previous quarter, the state statistics agency said on Thursday. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-JOBS(71 of103)
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Municipal police march in central Athens on September 19, 2013 against the redeployment scheme and layoffs after government abolished their service. Civil servants are on a second day of strike against a job redeployment scheme demanded by Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors in return for access to bailout loans, and likely to bring additional layoffs in the recession-hit country. Greece\'s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 27.1 percent in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 27.4 percent in the previous quarter, the state statistics agency said on Thursday. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-STRIKE(72 of103)
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Teachers march in Thessaloniki on September 18, 2013 during a 48-hour civil servants strike. Thousands of striking Greek public sector workers took to the streets, closing hospitals, schools and transport links, bringing many parts of the country to a standstill. In the latest round of strikes, civil servants marched through the capital against a job redeployment scheme demanded by Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors in return for access to bailout loans, and likely to bring additional layoffs in the recession-hit country.AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAKIS MITROLIDIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-STRIKE(73 of103)
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Striking teachers march in Athens on September 18, 2013 during a 48-hour civil servants strike. Thousands of striking Greek public sector workers took to the streets, closing hospitals, schools and transport links, bringing many parts of the country to a standstill. In the latest round of strikes, civil servants marched through the capital against a job redeployment scheme demanded by Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors in return for access to bailout loans, and likely to bring additional layoffs in the recession-hit country. AFP PHOTO / Louisa Gouliamaki (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-STRIKE(74 of103)
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Chanting slogans, teachers march in Athens on September 18, 2013 during a 48-hours civil servants strike. Thousands of striking Greek public sector workers took to the streets, closing hospitals, schools and transport links, bringing many parts of the country to a standstill. In the latest round of strikes, civil servants marched through the capital against a job redeployment scheme demanded by Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors in return for access to bailout loans, and likely to bring additional layoffs in the recession-hit country. AFP PHOTO / Louisa Gouliamaki (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-STRIKE(75 of103)
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Dressed in black, teachers who are on mandatory suspensions march in Athens on September 18, 2013 during a 48-hours civil servants strike. Thousands of striking Greek public sector workers took to the streets, closing hospitals, schools and transport links, bringing many parts of the country to a standstill. In the latest round of strikes, civil servants marched through the capital against a job redeployment scheme demanded by Greece\'s EU-IMF creditors in return for access to bailout loans, and likely to bring additional layoffs in the recession-hit country. AFP PHOTO / Louisa Gouliamaki (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-LAYOFFS-EU-IMF(76 of103)
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Administrative employees of the Greek universities march towards the Ministry of Administrative reform in Athens, during their 48-hours strike against the redeployment scheme and layoffs on September 10, 2013. Greece has agreed to redeploy a total of 25,000 civil servants and axe 4,000 state jobs by the end of the year, as part of cuts to public spending. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-ECONOMY-STRIKE(77 of103)
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Municipal police members demonstrate during a general strike in Athens on July 16, 2013. A general strike gripped Greece on July 16 for the fourth time this year as unions railed at fresh austerity measures the government is imposing in order to keep receiving EU-IMF loans. Thousands of protesters gathered ahead of rallies to be held later in the day, with 16,000 demonstrators coming out in Athens and 7,000 in Thessaloniki, according to police. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
Greece Financial Crisis(78 of103)
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High school children protest outside the finance ministry against state funding cuts to municipalities that have disrupted school bus services, in Athens on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012. Greece\'s coalition government is struggling to meet demands by international rescue creditors for a massive new austerity cuts required for continued payment of emergency loans. (AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Greece Financial Crisis(79 of103)
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High school children protest outside the finance ministry against state funding cuts to municipalities that have disrupted school bus services, in Athens on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012. Greece\'s coalition government is struggling to meet demands by international rescue creditors for a massive new austerity cuts required for continued payment of emergency loans. (AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
GREECE-ECONOMY-PROTEST(80 of103)
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Communist affilited youth chant slogans while participating in the PAME (Panergatiko Agonistiko Metopo or All-Workers Militant Front) union rally at Syntagma Square in central Athens on July 11, 2013. Greece\'s main unions will hold a general strike on July 16 to oppose a new round of civil service job cuts announced by the government to secure EU-IMF loans. Affecting thousands of teachers, school wardens and municipal staff, the latest cuts have caused fresh outrage in a country undergoing a fourth year of austerity and record unemployment. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-STRIKE-ECONOMY-LAYOFFS(81 of103)
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Municipal workers stand in front of the Interior ministry during a demonstration after the announcement of their inclusion in a mobility scheme in Athens on July 8, 2013. Tens of thousands of Greek civil servants went on strike on July 8 against a new round of job cuts enacted by the government to gain access to promised EU-IMF loans. In Athens, several thousand whistle-blowing civil servants staged a protest outside the administrative reform ministry as the government prepared to enshrine the layoffs in a new law. AFP PHOTO / ANGELOS TZORTZINIS (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-PUBLIC-DEBT-EU- IMF- ECB -LAW(82 of103)
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A municipal worker wearing a traditional folk uniform stands in front of the Greek parliament in Athens during a massive protest march by municipal workers and contract workers to protest the latest law tablet to parliamnet on April 26, 2013. Greece tabled to parliament a law enshrining the latest reforms agreed with its troika of international creditors earlier this month in return for 8.8 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in bailout loans.The legislation, slated for a vote late on Sunday, formalises the dismissal of 15,000 civil servants by 2014, including 4,000 this year. This includes staff being pensioned off, fired for corruption of incompetence, or made redundant through the elimination of state entities. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-PUBLIC-DEBT-EU- IMF- ECB -LAW(83 of103)
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Athens and Thessaloniki municipality workers and contract workers march towards the Greek parliament in Athens to protest the latest law tablet to parliamnet on April 26, 2013. Greece tabled to parliament a law enshrining the latest reforms agreed with its troika of international creditors earlier this month in return for 8.8 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in bailout loans.The legislation, slated for a vote late on Sunday, formalises the dismissal of 15,000 civil servants by 2014, including 4,000 this year. This includes staff being pensioned off, fired for corruption of incompetence, or made redundant through the elimination of state entities. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-PUBLIC-DEBT-EU- IMF- ECB -LAW(84 of103)
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Athens and Thessaloniki municipality workers and contract workers hold Greek flags, while marching towards the Greek parliament in athens to protest the latest reforms on April 26, 2013. Greece tabled to parliament a law enshrining the latest reforms agreed with its troika of international creditors earlier this month in return for 8.8 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in bailout loans.The legislation, slated for a vote late on Sunday, formalises the dismissal of 15,000 civil servants by 2014, including 4,000 this year. This includes staff being pensioned off, fired for corruption of incompetence, or made redundant through the elimination of state entities. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-SOCIAL-HEALTH-DEMONSTRATION(85 of103)
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Hospital workers carry a banner reading \'government, IMF, EU-troika are harmful for the public health\' on April 17, 2013 outside the ministry of health in Athens. Athens has pledged to cut 4,000 state sector jobs this year and 11,000 in 2014 to unlock access to 8.8 billion euros ($11.5 billion) in EU-IMF loans next month. Athens has pledged to cut 4,000 state sector jobs this year and 11,000 in 2014 to unlock access to 8.8 billion euros ($11.5 billion) in EU-IMF loans next month. The EU and the IMF have committed a total of 240 billion euros in rescue loans to Greece since 2010, with the heavily-indebted country obliged to pursue austerity measures in exchange for the international aid it needs to avoid bankruptcy. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
Belgium Greece Financial Crisis(86 of103)
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A man shows a poster as he stages a rally in solidarity with the Greek people against the austerity imposed by the EU and the IMF, in downtown Brussels, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. Poster reads: \'Solidarity\' in Dutch, French and Greek. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Soccer Euro 2012 Greece Czech Republic(87 of103)
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Greek fans cheer as the banner reads \'\'Czechs Won\'t Win\'\' with initials in black to read IMF, in Greek, before the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Greece and Czech Republic in Wroclaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Greece is suffering through a fifth year of recession, struggling to meet the harsh conditions of a bailout by eurozone countries and International Monetary Fund. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Greece Financial Crisis(88 of103)
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A petrol bomb explodes in front of a riot policeman during clashes in front of the Greek parliament in Athens on Sunday, Feb. 12 2012.Greek lawmakers on Sunday began debating legislation introducing severe austerity measures necessary for the country to secure a euros 130 billion ($171.46 billion) bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund and stave off bankruptcy. The legislation will also approve a bond-swapping deal with private creditors that will allow Greece to shave off at least euros 100 billion of its euros 360 billion debt. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Greece Financial Crisis(89 of103)
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In this frame grab from APTN video, police keep protesters back outside Parliament, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, in Athens. Greek lawmakers on Sunday began debating legislation introducing severe austerity measures necessary for the country to secure a euro 130 billion ($171.46 billion) bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund and stave off bankruptcy. (AP Photo/APTN) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-PUBLIC-DEBT-TRANSPORT-STRIKE(90 of103)
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A dog sits in an empty train station in Athens, during a 24-hours strike by subway and city rail employees to protest the new wave of austerity cuts announced this week, on November 2, 2012. Greece\'s negotiations with international lenders for desperately needed rescue funds some two weeks before bankruptcy looms are stuck, the IMF said on November 1, sending Greek stocks plunging. Meanwhile cuts in pensions and salaries for state employees that the Greek government has planned to unlock critical bailout funds were ruled unconstitutional by a court, the semi-official ANA news agency reported. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-PUBLIC-DEBT-EU-IMF-CUTS-STRIKE(91 of103)
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A man holds a plackard reading \'rolling strikes until the victory\' during a demonstration called by the two Greek main unions against the new upcoming austerity measures on October 31, 2012 in Athens. Greece\'s main union called an other 48-hour general strike for November 6-7 in protest at a new wave of austerity measures unveiled by the government today in order to unlock EU-IMF bailout loans. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS\nGREECE OUT (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-DEMO(92 of103)
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Protesters from northern Greece dump ice outside the parliament in Athens on October 31, 2012. People living in northern Greece demonstrated against increased heating oil prices. Greece\'s main union on October 31 called a 48-hour general strike for November 6-7 in protest at a new wave of austerity measures unveiled by the government in order to unlock EU-IMF bailout loans. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS - GREECE OUT - (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ARIS MESSINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-PUBLIC-DEBT-PROTEST(93 of103)
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A dog sits in front of riot police protecting the Greek parliament, during a protest by Greek bank pensioners and employees on October 30, 2012, to protest the austerity measures, affecting their pension and social security funds, expected to be part of a 13.5-billion-euro austerity package demanded by Greece\'s EU, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank creditors. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Tuesday that he had reached an agreement with auditors representing the country\'s international creditors over the new round of cuts.AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
Greece Financial Crisis(94 of103)
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Workers for the \"Help and Home\" programme \'\'shout slogans as the hold a banner that reads \"work\'\' during a protest in central Athens, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The program created to encourage the elderly and disable people in their health care but most of the workers remain unpaid the last nine months. The inspectors from the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Commission returned to Athens this week after suspending their review earlier this month over missed targets and delayed implementation of reforms. Their approval is critical for to receive the next euro 8 billion installment of its euro 110 billion ($150 billion) bailout loan package agreed on last year. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Greece Financial Crisis(95 of103)
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People burn copies of emergency tax notices outside a tax office in the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The inspectors from the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Commission returned to Athens this week after suspending their review earlier this month over missed targets and delayed implementation of reforms. Their approval is critical for Greece to receive the next euro 8 billion installment of its euro110 billion ($150 billion) bailout loan package agreed on last year. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION-PROTEST(96 of103)
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Youths, including public school art and music students, perform on October 23, 2012 outside the Greek Parliament in the center of Athens during a demonstration against budget cuts affecting transport to schools. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was set for critical talks with coalition allies on October 23 to finalize an austerity package tied to the next installment of EU-IMF rescue loans after months of tough bargaining. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION-PROTEST(97 of103)
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Youth protest in central Athens against budget cuts which affect the transportation to their schools on October 23, 2012. Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is to meet his coalition allies in a new bid to finalise an austerity package necessary to receive the next instalment of EU-IMF rescue loans after months of tough talks. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-STUDENTS-PROTEST(98 of103)
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Students chant slogans outside the finance ministry in Athens on October 12, 2012, during a demonstration to protest against the austerity measures and unemployment. The protesters tried to demonstrate outside the interior ministry where the EU-IMF-ECB troika held a meeting, but were blocked by police. AFP PHOTO/ LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION(99 of103)
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School teachers clash with riot police near Education ministry as they protest against government\' reform in Athens on April 4, 2014. Greece\'s multi-billion-euro EU-IMF bailout in 2010 saved the country from bankruptcy, but the austerity measures dictated by the creditors plunged the country into a deep recession. \nAFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EDUCATION(100 of103)
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School teachers clash with riot police near Education ministry as they protest against government\' reform in Athens on April 4, 2014. Greece\'s multi-billion-euro EU-IMF bailout in 2010 saved the country from bankruptcy, but the austerity measures dictated by the creditors plunged the country into a deep recession. \nAFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis (Photo credit should read ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANGELOS TZORTZINIS via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-EU-IMF(101 of103)
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Police take away a woman who shouts outside the ministry of finance in Athens during creditors\' representatives meeting with the Greek Finance ministeron November 18, 2013. Greek authorities are now finalising the budget with representatives of the so-called troika of creditors, the EU, IMF and the European Central Bank. Greece plunged into recession in 2008 when the global economic crisis hit, and rising borrowing costs on its massive debt forced the country to seek financial aid in 2010. AFP PHOTO / Louisa Gouliamaki (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
GREECE-FINANCE-ECONOMY-SHIPYARDS-PROTEST(102 of103)
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Workers at the Skaramangas shipyard gather in front of the ministry of Defence in Athens on October 9, 2013 during a demonstraton by the shipyard workers to demand unpaid wages. Workers at Skaramangas have taken industrial action for months over unpaid wages by the privately owned Arab-German consortium which has controlled the shipyard since 2010. \nAFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)
A man walks behind a banner reading "IMF(103 of103)
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A man walks behind a banner reading \'IMF Go (Home)\' held by protestors in front of the finance ministry in Athens on April 19, 2010. Greece said Monday it will not hesitate to ask for a debt rescue from the EU and IMF if necessary as doubts over how it can pay upcoming bills pushed its borrowing rates to punitive levels. A team from the IMF has arrived here despite disruptions to air traffic but will wait for two EU groups to come before opening talks on any debt-rescue plan . AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LOUISA GOULIAMAKI via Getty Images)

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