Germany will not offer 'a penny' to Greece

The German Government does not intend to offer to Greece "a penny" of financial aid, according to Economy Minister remarked, Rainer Brueder.
"The Government does not intend to give a penny," said Brueder during an event in Berlin.

The official added that each country is responsible for their own affairs and that the Greek government should implement its austerity plan effectively.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will meet today, Friday, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.

Meanwhile, Greek workers responded today with a new day strike called by major trade unions against the socialist executive last measures to reduce the deficit.

The General Confederation of Workers (GSEE) Civil Employees Union (ADEDY) and the Communist union Pame have called a march at noon through the center of the capital to protest before Parliament when it votes the approval of new savings measures amounting to 4,800 million euros.

For the second day, access to central Athens is hindered by the protest of about 400 former employees of the airline Air Olympis that have blocked one of the main avenues of the capital.
Public workers reject the cuts in their pensions, their wages by 12% and of the extra payments in another 30%, and also rejected the tax increases on alcohol, snuff, fuel and VAT.

All these measures have been taken by the Greek Government to address the severe debt and deficit crisis afflicting the country and has led him to seek help from the European Union, which, in turn, has called the country a plan severe to cut spending.