Greek finance minister rejects call for tax relief measure in new austerity bill

ATHENS, Greece – Greece's Finance Minister has rejected a called from the government's Socialist coalition partners to add tax relief measures to a new austerity bill due to be voted by parliament at the weekend.

Yannis Stournaras said Wednesday that demands by the Socialists to lower sales tax for restaurant and catering services would not be included in the draft legislation that is due to be published Thursday.

Measures in the bill — demanded by rescue creditors to release a further €8.8 billion ($11.5 billion) in rescue loans — are set to include landmark provisions to fire civil servants and extend a highly unpopular emergency tax on homeowners.