The Wire

Riots have escalated in Athens overnight as the Greek parliament prepares to vote on austerity measures to save the national economy. To benefit from an International Monetary Fund bailout, it must successfully pass the proposed bill, but it is not a popular couse of action amongst the Greek public. The IMF wants Greece to reduce its deficit by selling off public assets, raising utility prices and cutting services, and if Greece backs out the proposal, it must default on its loans. But what is driving the situation and which turn is it likely to take next?