The new coalition government of Greece, elected a scant three months ago on a pro-Euro, pro bail-out platform, finds itself between a rock and a hard place as 50,000 protesters took to the streets in Athens demonstrating against austerity measures they say are bringing the Greek population to its knees.

The biggest demonstration of its kind since the new government was put in place, was coupled with a general strike that paralyzed much of the nation on Wednesday. It was the first general strike to take place since the new goverrnment was set into place. The strike, called by unions, froze airlines as air traffic controllers walked off the job, closed public transit, shut down shipping at the docks.

Schools, monuments and museums shut down, and shop keepers shuttered their windows as half of the workforce of the country came to a halt.

Protesters crowded the streets, marching to the beat of drums and displaying banners. Chants and bullhorns filled the air as the streets were overtaken by densely packed crowds.All marching to protest new austerity measures being drafted by the Greek government.

For a brief time across from the Parliament building, where the new agreement was being drafted to secure international bail-out funds, clashes broke out between police and protesters. Police let loose tear gas, stun grenades, and pepper spray on several hundred demonstrators. Protesters, using hammers, smashed paving stones and marble panels, throwing the makeshift missiles and Molotov Cocktails at the police. About 20 people were arrested in the outburst.

Huge cuts are demanded in return for nearly $40 billion in financial aid. On Thursday, the Greek three party coalition government announced that it had reached an agreement on the basic elements of a $15 billion plan to cut pensions and salary cuts as well as raise the retirement age from 65 to 67.

International lenders have insisted on these new cuts in exchange for releasing more funds to the government of Greece. This is the second bailout for Greece in as many years.

There is no easy answer for the years-long economical woes of Greece. Unemployment rates of Greeks is averaging over 24% while rates for Greeeks 25 and younger now sits at roughly 54%. Unemployment rates in Greece are second only to Spain in the European Union, whose unemplyment rate is now over 25%.