BBC News
第二页:中英双语
The Greek parliament has given its initial approval to a new austerity bill designed to tackle the country's deepening debt crisis. The vote on the bill, which will cut spending and increase taxes, came after violent demonstrations against the measures. From Athens, Chris Morris reports.
希腊议会初步通过新一轮经济紧缩政策,解决本国严重的债务危机。这次有关削减开支并增加税收的投票,是在暴力游行反对这些政策后进行的。Chris Morris在雅典报道。
The votes were cast with little enthusiasm, but the government has passed another test in parliament. These deeply unpopular austerity measures are part of the price Greece is forced to pay for continuing financial support from abroad. Critics say the package of spending cuts, job losses, higher taxes and lower pensions is crushing the Greek economy, and failing to reduce its huge debts. The government admits that it's tough but insists that the alternative, which could include default and the collapse of the banking system, would be catastrophic.
人们对投票的热情不高,但政府在国会已通过另一项测试。希腊被迫出台这些极不受欢迎的紧缩政策,从而为能继续从国外获得支持创造条件。批评者说,这项包括削减开支、减员、高税收和低养老金的一揽子政策将摧垮希腊经济,无法减少巨额债务。政府承认该计划很严酷,但同时坚持,如果采取违约和银行系统破产等手段,后果将是灾难性的。