June 9, 2011
The Greek cabinet has backed new budget cuts and is ready to put them to parliament, sources said on a day of strike action by public sector workers.
Ministers endorsed a mid-term fiscal and privatisation plan required by the EU and the IMF as part of their bail-out conditions.
The vote in parliament is expected by early July.
The decision came as a strike by transport workers and other employees brought disruption to Athens commuters.
Unions fear a massive sale of state assets is being planned, with subsequent job losses.
An official involved in the cabinet talks told the Associated Press news agency "the fairest possible solution" had been found, without giving details.
"The approval and submission of the bill today in parliament shows that we worked to find the best possible path," a minister at the meeting, who also declined to be named, told Reuters.
International lenders say the cuts are necessary if Greece is to continue receiving financial support.
Earlier, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said the 110bn euro (£161bn; £98bn) Greek bail-out package agreed last year was insufficient.
There was a "real risk" of default if further funds were not released soon, he added.
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