Grek debt crisis: Alexis Tsipras now faces scrap in Athens over new deal
Embattled Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is facing a backlash from supporters after accepting the broad terms of a new bailout deal.
The agreement requires Greece to undertake more reforms and austerity in return for cash, despite the country rejecting such a deal in a national referendum just over one week ago.
Workers from the public sector union Adedy will strike tomorrow in response to the deal, it said last night.
Pharmacies will also shut for the day, the Panhellenic Pharmacists’ Association announced last night.
The heavily protected industry fears that a new programme will come with orders to deregulate the sector, with supermarkets likely to be able to open their own pharmacies.
Such a move would increase competition and take businesses from current operators.
Greece faced similar troubles when it tried to issue more licences for truck drivers as part of its first bailout programme. The move led to a week-long strike by drivers, causing widespread disruption to supply chains.
Tsipras also faces a backlash in parliament. He must get a host of bills passed by tomorrow to rebuild trust with Europe before formal negotiations on a new bailout can take place.
The new legislation will require him to streamline the VAT system, make pensions more sustainable and overhaul the justice system.
The proposed bailout would see Greece receive €86bn (£61bn) from Europe over the next three years.
The legislation is set to be voted against by the so-called hard-left of his Syriza party – around 30 MPs.
Yet he may gain enough support from the rest of Syriza and elsewhere to pass the new laws through the 300-seat parliament. Opposition party New Democracy, which has 76 seats, supports the deal.
The head of To Potami, which has 17 seats, also welcomed the developments.