Greek courtrooms remain empty in bailout protest

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Lawyers' associations in Greece have extended a campaign of court abstentions to protest bailout measures that would see them pay higher monthly pension contributions.

The associations voted Wednesday to extend walkouts through April 15, in a protest that has caused delays for thousands of cases.

The walkouts started in mid-January with only cases that are considered to be emergencies being heard in court.

Greece's public finances are currently under inspection by European Union creditors and the International Monetary Fund, who insist that the country's pension system is in need of urgent reform.

The planned overhaul has drawn widespread protests from farmers to doctors, and has seen the country's left-wing government slip behind rival conservatives in opinion polls.