Greece: the Tsipras government adopts new austerity measures

The Parliament in Athens approved a new package of austerity measures demanded by international lenders in return for a new tranche of aid before the Eurogroup meeting to be held Tuesday. In the specific case 152 Greek MPs approved a VAT increase, new direct taxes and measures to accelerate privatization. The new measures also provide for an automatic correction mechanism of the accounts should be rejected if the goal of bringing the primary surplus at 3.5% in 2018.

"The Greeks have assumed their responsibilities. Tomorrow also the counterparty will have to do the same," he said confident the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, after the vote in Parliament.

Once again, the people took to the streets to demonstrate against the new Government measures: demonstrations and the transport strike have blocked the whole weekend in Athens.