Public finance

Farmers are to drive their tractors out onto national roads on January 28 to protest the impact of austerity measures on their income, calling for tax breaks, the restoration of revoked benefits and protection for overindebted homeowners.

In making this decision, the Executive Board primarily took into account the outlook for inflation and its factors going forward, as well as the effects of past monetary policy easing, the central bank has announced.

The key results are low and stable inflation, rising confidence in the national currency and increased resilience of the economy to external shocks, Tanjug reported, citing the central bank.

The state budget is facing a growing threat from court decisions reversing austerity cuts introduced as part of the bailout program.

The latest development on this front was the verdict this week by a section of the Council of State that deemed unconstitutional the abolition of the Christmas, Easter and summer bonuses for pensioners and civil servants which came into force in 2012.

Public sector union ADEDY has organized a demonstration in downtown Athens on Tuesday to coincide with a vote in Parliament on the 2019 budget.

Protesters will gather at 6.30 p.m. at Korai Square and then march to Syntagma.

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) will fulfill its two mandates this year - price and financial stability, BNR Governor Mugur Isarescu said on Monday at a news conference where the bank's report on financial stability was released, noting that in all likelihood the consumer price index will enter the fluctuation margin of 2.5pct plus/minus one percent.

Members of disabled groups from around Greece — some wearing white gloves to protest in sign language — have staged rallies in Athens and other cities to call for expanded exemptions from bailout-era taxes.

Train and island ferry services in Greece were suspended Wednesday and most Athens public transport was idle as the country's biggest labor union held a strike against persisting austerity measures. The transport shutdown prompted Athenians to drive to work, causing major traffic jams in the capital whose center was shut down ahead of planned protest marches.

Greek journalists have walked off work for 24 hours ahead of a general strike that is expected to bring the country to a standstill to protest against protracted austerity measures.

No news programs are being broadcast on TV and radio, while newspapers will not be printed on Wednesday, the day of the general strike.

For every 4 euros of austerity measures (taxes, social security contributions, pension and benefit cuts) this government has taken since it was voted into power, it has only returned 1 euro, and only to a small section of the population at that.