Greece still stalling over bailout deal - Business News - Business - Evening Standard
       

Greece still stalling over bailout deal

Greek premier Lucas Papademos held talks with coalition leaders today as Athens dragged its heels over the harsh austerity measures demanded by lenders in return for a 130 billion (£108 billion) bailout.

Patience in Berlin and Paris is fraying over the apparent reluctance of political parties to sign up to unpopular reforms, as political leaders jockey for position ahead of elections which could come as soon as April.

The talks come against a backdrop of popular protests as more than 20,000 people marched through the Greek capital in a general strike over the latest cuts in jobs and spending.

Unless Greece signs up to its second bailout in less than two years, it faces a catastrophic default next month when a 14.4 billion bond issue falls due.

Greece has agreed a deal with banks and hedge fund holders of its bonds to take voluntary losses.

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