Greece: the head of the Orthodox Church suggests a risk of "social explosion"

Grèce: le chef de l'Eglise orthodoxe évoque un risque d'"explosion sociale" - Le Nouvel Observateur

The head of the Orthodox Church of Greece warned on Thursday that the rise of poverty in the country risked a "social explosion" as the Greek government intends to adopt new austerity measures.

"The problem of homelessness and even hunger, phenomena observed during (World War II) which reached nightmarish proportions," said Msgr. Ieronymos in a letter to Prime Minister Lucas Papademos. "The patience of the Greeks is running out , leaving a feeling of anger, and the danger of social explosion can not be ignored."

100 billion euros of debt

He added: "The remedy which we are taking becomes fatal for the nation. Measures more painful and more unfair are now to follow without any hope being given."

The Greek government is committed to adopt new austerity measures in return for international aid. Greece could end up in default on March 20, if it fails by then to reach agreement on a second bailout of 130 billion euros and an exchange of obligations with private creditors to erase 100 billion euros of debt.

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