Greek leaders strike deal on bailout reforms 

Greece’s coalition party leaders have reached a deal on tough austerity measures to keep the country afloat, the office of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said in a statement.

The agreement should ensure Greece receives a fresh bailout of 130-billion euros ($172 billion).

“The consultations between the government and the troika on the issue which remained open for further discussion were successfully completed this morning. The political leaders agreed on the outcome of these talks,” Papademos’ office said.

“There is broad agreement on the content of the new programme ahead of today’s Eurogroup meeting,” the statement added.

Athens’ partners in the European Union and the International Monetary Fund have been exasperated by a lack of agreement on the sacrifices they demanded in return for the bailout.
 
Last night Greece’s leaders came close to agreeing a pact to avoid a painful default, and a possible eurozone exit, but the issue of pensions was a sticking point.
 
Athens faces debt repayments of around 15-billion euros in just over a month and a disorderly default could plunge the eurozone into another deep crisis.

Copyright © 2012 euronews