Reuters
November 4, 2011
Already exasperated by a seemingly endless wave of pay cuts and tax hikes, Greeks watched the latest political drama unfolding in their capital with a mixture of despair and disbelief.
In an extraordinary week even by the chaotic standards of Greek politics, Prime Minister George Papandreou first declared a vital bailout lifeline would be put to a popular vote before backing down in the face of an uproar at home and abroad.
"We are suffering from austerity and this man is smiling in parliament and telling us the referendum plan was just a joke," said Alexandra Rouva, a 27-year-old Greek who has been unemployed for more than a year.
"Well, this is not the right time for stupid jokes. He cannot play with our lives."
Financial markets, European leaders and ordinary Greeks glued to their television screens have held their breath as the government teetered on the verge of collapse and squabbling politicians raised fears Greece would be pushed to bankruptcy.
For many Greeks grappling with the harsh reality of shrinking salaries, smaller pensions and unemployment at a record high, the political theatrics were too much to swallow.
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