Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis reiterated his opposition to further cuts in wages, pensions, benefits and other labour market reforms contained in the multi-bill. This means he will vote against the whole bill, since the government has decided to place all the bill’s provisions in a single article in a “take it or leave it” message to the MPs Associated Press writes.

A vote on the multi-bill will most likely take place on Thursday and the budget vote will take place at midnight on Sunday.

A deal on keeping Greece afloat and providing more bailout money for the near-bankrupt state is unlikely to be reached next week when Eurozone finance ministers meet in Brussels, a senior EU official said yesterday to Reuters. According to the same source, the Eurozone still had to find a formula to make the Greek debt sustainable and finance it and that several countries, including Germany, also had to discuss the matter with their parliaments.

“The November 12 meeting will not be the final stage. We’re not so much under the gun as it may seem,” the official said, adding that Greece could meet its financial obligations without further financial assistance until the end of November or even early December.

“A deal is still likely in November, but not necessarily on November 12,” the official added. “There will be no deal until there is a deal on all the different strings of the package. We will not disburse the next tranche until all details are in place”. Link

Meanwhile, GSEE and ADEDY umbrella unions have called a general strike Tuesday and Wednesday. Fixed-track and other public transport services will be affected throughout the week as well.

Lawyers across the country are suspending activity for five days starting yesterday, while prosecutors are extending their strike to November 18.

Athens Metro, ISAP and Tram will not run today. Train services are expected to be cancelled as well, after the rail union announced its participation to the strike.

Disruptions are also expected at Athens International Airport from a three-hour stoppage by air-traffic controllers, starting at 10 a.m.

Ships will remain tied at the ports on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Board of the Panhellenic Maritime Federation (PNO) decided to participate in the 48-hour general strike.

Taxis began rolling 24-hour strikes yesterday, while hospital doctors are on a three-day walkout through Wednesday. Also pharmacies across the country will be closed on Wednesday.

Bank employees, OTOE and OME-OTE will also join in the 48-hour strike.

Journalists also held a 24-hour strike yesterday, so no newspapers will be published today. Media workers have also announced a work stoppage for Tuesday from 10 am – 2.30 pm and on Wednesday from 4 pm to 7pm.

Talks about Greece exiting the euro will end after critical votes in Parliament this week on new austerity measures, labor reforms and the 2013 budget, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said yesterday in a speech he delivered to the meeting of the ND parliamentary group.

“As soon as the new measures are passed and we get the critical aid tranche, liquidity will start again to feed businesses and households, uncertainty will end, sentiment will change and the fear of a return to the drachma will disappear,” Samaras told New Democracy MPs at a party meeting, Kathimerini writes.

The Premier had separate meetings with his coalition partners, in an effort to restore unity around the austerity package and 2013 budget to be put up for voting in Parliament on Wednesday.

Although Maximos Mansion appears certain that the measures will pass the critical vote next Wednesday, it is watching with concern the intraparty shocks in the government partners that are also reflected abroad, protothema.gr reports.

Prime Minister’s office told the paper with certainty that despite the refusal of DIMAR the measures will pass with the majority of ND and PASOK. They add that on Sunday, November 11, just one day before the crucial Eurogroup meeting, all three coalition parties will vote for the budget that traditionally has the character of a confidence vote. The negative impressions about DIMAR due to its rejection of the labour package will decrease outside the country as well by its vote on the budget.

In a clear message to the Democratic Left, Samaras said: “I can understand why some of those who have are on our side are having seconds thoughts. I understand that the next crucial steps are big and difficult, but they are worth the trouble. I am making a plea to everyone to proceed with us till the end.”

Sources close to the Premier said that contact with the coalition parties and the troika would continue until Wednesday’s vote, when the structural reforms will be put to vote, but it was unlikely that any major concessions would be made. Should Democratic Left fail to support the measures, there is a possibility it will reject the budget, which will be voted on late Sunday. This would likely lead to the party quitting the coalition.

Meanwhile, GSEE and ADEDY umbrella unions have called a general strike Tuesday and Wednesday. Fixed-track and other public transport services will be affected throughout the week as well. According to media reports, the Athens Metro will operate only on Wednesday.

Lawyers across the country are suspending activity for five days starting today, while prosecutors are extending their strike to November 18.

Municipal workers are expected to hold sit-ins at city halls, garbage truck depots and waste management facilities today.

Disruptions are also expected at Athens International Airport on Tuesday from a three-hour stoppage by air-traffic controllers, starting at 10 a.m.