Debate on 2011 budget begins

The five-day debate on the 2011 budget resumed in Greek Parliament at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday after the opening speeches delivered on Saturday by the rapporteurs of all the political parties represented in Parliament.

In general terms, the government has defended the new budget and the opposition parties have largely rejected it as fake.

Following the party rapporteurs, it is now the turn of government ministers and party sector-heads to address the Parliament and the debate will culminate on Wednesday with the speeches of the party leaders.

The debate will close shortly before midnight on Wednesday with an address by Prime Minister George Papandreou and a roll-call vote will begin at precisely 12:00.