Greeks to vote in April election

Monday, February 13, 2012 - 12:31 PM

Greece is to hold a general election in April, it has been announced today.

The announcement was made just hours after parliament voted through tough new austerity measures, aimed at saving the country from bankruptcy.

"This government has one to one-and-a-half months left," said government spokesman Pantelis Kapsis. "We will finish up in March and elections will be held in April."

Commentators say new austerity measures designed to allow the country to receive another bailout from the eurozone will bring much pain.

Around 150,000 public sector jobs will go over the next three years, and the minimum wage will be cut by 22%.