Scenes from the Greek Protests

After the agreement of a $143 million rescue package for Greece, the austerity measures required by the IMF and the EU to stave off economic collapse has the Greek populace protesting in what has become a violent clash with police and government officials.

The austerity measures would see an overhaul in state spending, cutting pensions, wages and benefits of Greek public servants -- in addition to more general cuts in spending and raised taxes- - in order to save 30 billion euros over the next three years. The protests, combined with strikes threatened by union officials, have the potential to paralyze the country's economy, which could make an already dire situation worse.

Despite the protests, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is not expected to be shift plans for austerity measures. Any concessions would be seriously criticized by the German parliament, who is set to vote on the unpopular Greek bailout by the end of the week.

Click ahead for dramatic on-the-ground imagery from the Greek protests in Athens.

(Posted 5 May 2010)

A protestor throws a stone at police near the Parliament building in the center of Athens.

People demonstrate in front of the Greek Parliament during a massive demonstration in Athens.

A protestor throws a stone at police near the Parliament building in the center of Athens.

Greek riot policemen clash with protestors in the center of Athens. A nationwide general strike gripped Greece in the first major test of the socialist government's resolve to push through unprecedented austerity cuts needed to avert fiscal meltdown.

A protestor is engulfed in a smoke bomb in Athens.

A woman shouts anti-government slogans in front of riot police deployed in front of the parliament in Athens on May 6.

More than 10,000 people demonstrated peacefully in Greek capital as lawmakers voted on a drastic austerity package, a day after protests against cutbacks degenerated into deadly riots, police said.

Greek riot policemen pass by burning garbage during an anti-austerity demonstration in the center of Athens on May 6.

Riot police charged hundreds of youths in front of the Greek parliament after an anti-austerity demonstration by more than 10,000 people. After a long face-off, police also used tear gas to disperse the youths who had lingered on taunting officers with insults and throwing things after the demonstration.

A masked protestor looks at Greek riot policemen in the center of Athens.

Riot policemen are seen in smoke during an anti-austerity demonstration in the center of Athens on May 6. Riot police charged hundreds of youths in front of the Greek parliament after an anti-austerity demonstration by more than 10,000 people.

After a long face-off, police also used tear gas to disperse the youths who had lingered on taunting officers with insults and throwing things after the demonstration.

A photographer lies next a group of riot policemen during an anti-austerity demonstration in the center of Athens on May 6. Riot police charged hundreds of youths in front of the Greek parliament after an anti-austerity demonstration by more than 10,000 people.

Locals wave black flags as they block the main road near the port on May 6 in Mytilini, the capital of the island of Lesbos, Greece.

Three people died after protesters set fire to the Marfin Egnatia Bank in Athens, with further unrest being fuelled by anger at government austerity measures to freeze wages, cut pensions and to increase taxation.

Greek riot policemen spray tear gas and clash with protestors in the center of Athens. A nationwide general strike gripped Greece in the first major test of the socialist government's resolve to push through unprecedented austerity cuts needed to avert debt default.

Athens police chiefs mobilized all their forces, including those not on active duty, to restore order amid rioting during protests against a government austerity drive. Police were put on a 'general state of alert' to deal with the clashes after three people died in a bank that was firebombed on the margins of the demonstrations.

Riot police stand in front of a burnt Marfin Egnatia Bank, where three people were killed in a firebomb attack in central Athens on Wednesday. Around 20 people were evacuated from the building, police and firefighters said.

Athenians lay flowers in rememberance outside a bank where three people were killed in protests on May 6 in Athens. Three people, one of them a pregnant woman, were killed when Greeks protesting against government austerity measures threw petrol bombs at a bank.

A protestor sprays gas at Greek riot policemen in the center of Athens.

Greek police clash with demonstrators in front of a government building in Mytilene, Greece. Three people have died after protesters set fire to the Marfin Egnatia Bank in Athens, with further unrest being fuelled by anger at government austerity measures to freeze wages, cut pensions and to increase taxation

A protestor throws a stone at police near the Parliament building in the center of Athens.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou addresses media representatives after his meeting with the Greek President Karolos Papoulias in Athens. Greece's socialist government rushed to push through fresh spending cuts in the face of public anger at the price to pay for the 110-billion-euro international bailout. A day after unveiling plans to cut public sector bonuses, shake up the retirement system and hike sales tax, Papandreou said the austerity drive would allow 'changes that the country has needed for years.

A Greek riot policeman sprays tear gas during clashes in the center of Athens. Athens police chief mobilized all their forces, including those not on active duty, to restore order amid rioting during protests against a government austerity drive.

Greek riot police stand guard at Greece's parliament building.

Riot police face demonstrators during a massive demonstration in Athens.

Greek riot policemen clash with protestors in the center of Athens.