Greece: 10,000 union members and pensioners rally against austerity

About 10,000 pensioners and trade union members affiliated with the Communist Party of Greece protested in central Athens, Tuesday, demanding that the government withdraw its austerity proposals and restore pensions to pre-crisis levels. About 7,000 trade union members and 3,000 pensioners marched peacefully through the capital - passing the EU offices in Athens and the 'Maximou Mansion,' the residence of the Prime Minister at Syntagma Square. After pressure from its creditors, Greece had proposed a number of budget cuts to avoid default, including cuts to pensions as well as an increase in consumer taxes. A decision is expected before June 30 when Greece's current bailout expires and the country faces a €1.6 billion ($1.79 billion) loan repayment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).