Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Greek government spokesman Elias Mosialos said parliamentary approval of the government’s austerity bill would be “definitive” for the country’s negotiating position in talks with European Union partners on a second financing package.

The rejection of any article in the bill “creates difficulties,” Mosialos told reporters in Athens today. He said Cabinet today discussed the situation regarding strikes by unions opposed to the bill, which is expected to be voted on on Oct. 20.

To contact the reporter on this story: Marcus Bensasson in Athens at mbensasson@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Maria Petrakis at mpetrakis@bloomberg.net