Greece faces bailout showdown | Bangkok Post: business

Thousands of protesters massed in Greece under heavy police watch on Saturday after the government approved unpopular austerity cuts to get vital rescue funds and avoid the "chaos" of a default.

Banners reading: "down with the dictatorship of the monopolies european union" are seen in front on the Parthenon Temple at the ancient Acropolis hill on February 11. Police were deployed in force in Athens for a second day of protests after the Greek cabinet approved tough austerity cuts to get international rescue funds and avoid the "chaos" of a default.

More than 3,500 people streamed to Syntagma Square in Athens on a second day of protests and a general strike, with hundreds of riot police standing guard following clashes that erupted during the rallies on Friday.