Athens burns as riots spread in bailout deal protests

Rioting spread across central Athens and buildings went up in flames amid mass protests last night as MPs prepared to vote for a crucial debt deal needed to prevent bankruptcy.

Clashes erupted across the city centre after more than 100,000 protesters marched to parliament to rally against drastic austerity cuts that will force firing in the civil service and slash the minimum wage.

Politicians came under intense pressure from both sides, with tens of thousands of demonstrators pouring into Syntagma Square in front of parliament, while the government warned that rejection would demand “unimaginably harsher” sacrifices by Greeks.

In running battles, protesters threw bombs made from gas canisters as riot police advanced on the crowds, firing tear gas and stun grenades. Loud booms from the protests could be heard inside parliament.

TV footage showed a three-story corner building completely engulfed in flames with riot officers looking on from the street, and firefighters trying to douse the blaze.

After days of warnings and threats of rebellion, parliament began debating a bill setting out €3.3 billion (£2.7bn) in wage, pension and job cuts this year alone, to secure funds needed to avoid bankruptcy next month.

Finance minister Evangelos Venizelos told parliament Greece had no easy way out and the alternative to the international bailout – bankruptcy and a departure from the eurozone – would be far worse for Greeks.

“The choice is not between sacrifice and no sacrifices at all, but between sacrifices and unimaginably harsher ones,” he told a stormy debate expected to run well into the night.

One small party has already pulled out of the coalition of prime minister Lucas Papademos in protest against the terms of the €130bn rescue package from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Politicians from the two biggest government parties, socialist PASOK and conservative New Democracy, also threatened to rebel but their numbers were not enough to sink the bill.

Greece needs the international funds before 20 March to meet debt repayments of €14.5bn, or suffer a chaotic default, which could shake the entire eurozone.

But many Greeks believe their living standards are collapsing already and the new measures, which include a 22 per cent cut in the minimum wage, will deepen their torment.

“Enough is enough,” said 89-year-old Manolis Glezos, one of Greece’s most famous left wingers. “They have no idea what an uprising by the Greek people means.”

Police said 14 injured protesters were taken to hospital and at least 50 were treated at the scene for breathing problems caused by the tear gas. At least eight police were also injured.

The EU and IMF say they have had enough of broken promises and that the funds will be released only with the clear commitment of Greek political leaders that they will implement the reforms, whoever wins an election that could be held in April.