New spending cuts being asked of Greece [4] by international creditors are pushing Athens' fragile coalition towards a showdown with unions and anti-bailout forces amid signs that it will be civil servants who will bear the brunt of the belt-tightening.
Word is spreading of an incendiary autumn with labour groups, backed by the radical left main opposition Syriza party, warning of protests in September. The prospect of mass lay-offs in the state sector and a spate of planned privatisations are setting the scene for the "hottest fall yet," unionists said.