Anti-austerity protest in Athens near Greek bailout talks

Supporters of the communist-affiliated union PAME hold placards during an anti-austerity rally in Athens, Wednesday, March 1, 2017. About 1,500 people have held a peaceful anti-austerity protest outside an Athens hotel where Greek officials are holding bailout talks with representatives of the country's creditors. The words in Greek read : " You came again, We have been waiting for you". (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) (The Associated Press)

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Supporters of the communist-affiliated union PAME burn a European Union flag during an anti-austerity rally in Athens, Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2017. Hundreds of protesters staged a rally outside a hotel where Greece's bailout inspectors in Europe and the International Monetary Fund have resumed talks with the Greek government on further reforms following a months-long delay caused by disagreements over the appropriate austerity mix. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) (The Associated Press)

Supporters of the communist-affiliated union PAME take part in an anti-austerity rally in Athens, Wednesday, March. 1, 2017. About 1,500 people have held a peaceful anti-austerity protest outside an Athens hotel where Greek officials are holding bailout talks with representatives of the country's creditors. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) (The Associated Press)

About 1,500 people have held a peaceful anti-austerity protest outside an Athens hotel where Greek officials are holding bailout talks with the country's creditors.

Wednesday's protest was organized by a labor union affiliated with the Communist Party, which strongly opposes the bailouts that have kept Greece afloat since 2010 and ushered in waves of deeply-resented spending and income cuts and tax hikes.

Monitors from Greece's European Union creditors and the International Monetary Fund re-launched talks in Athens on Tuesday on the country's stumbling bailout program.

Bailout inspectors are seeking further pension, tax and labor changes, while the left-led government says it will ensure that further cutbacks are fully offset by benefits.

A successful outcome would unlock rescue loans needed to shield Greece from a default in July.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/anti-austerity-protest-in-athens-near-greek-bailout-talks