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Strike threatens to derail crucial Greek election

Thursday - 6/7/2012, 3:39pm  ET

Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A strike announced Thursday by Greek municipal employees is threatening to derail the crucial June 17 national election, which could determine whether the debt-crippled country continues to use the euro.




Opinion polls show a radical left-wing party that has vowed to tear up the country's austerity commitments _ even at risk of creditors freezing the vital bailout payments and forcing Greece out of the 17-member eurozone _ is running neck-and-neck with the pro-bailout conservatives.


Balassopoulos told The Associated Press that municipal employees were paid (EURO)60 ($75) euros for their work in the last election _ which he said was a fraction of what other public servants got.

"We asked for dignified pay," he said. "If the country has no money, it can't just be for us while Interior Ministry employees get (EURO)1,800 ($2,300) _ that's three months' salary for a municipal garbage collector. It's a provocation."




