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Wednesday, Jun 20, 2012 9:45 AM UTC

Greeks queue for food as coalition talks go on

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Topics: From the Wires,

Greeks queue for food as coalition talks go onGreek Presidential Guards march at the monument of the unknown soldier in front of the Parliament, in Athens, Tuesday, June 19 2012. Rival Greek party leaders were locked in a second day of power-sharing talks on Tuesday, with two potential minority partners voicing hope that a pro-bailout coalition government can be quickly formed after the debt-crippled country's second inconclusive election in six weeks. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis)(Credit: AP)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of poverty-stricken Greeks are queuing for free vegetable handouts as politicians try to finalize a potential power-sharing deal that would end weeks of political uncertainty.

Leaders of three parties backing the debt-crippled country’s bailout commitments will meet separately Wednesday to try and finalize a coalition agreement.

The conservative New Democracy came first in Sunday’s national elections but without enough seats in Parliament to govern alone. They are in talks with the third-placed Socialists and the smaller Democratic Left party.

Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos says a government could be formed Wednesday.

Greece depends on international rescue loans, granted in exchange for austerity commitments.

Farmers, meanwhile, are distributing 2,000 10-kilo vegetable packages in a central Athens park, in cooperation with municipal authorities.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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