(MENAFN- AFP) Greece's recession eased in the fourth quarter of 2013 when the economy shrank by 2.6-percent on an annual comparison, flash estimates from the state statistics agency showed on Friday.Based on this data, the economy on average contracted by 3.7 percent in 2013, better than a previous forecast of 4.0 percent, according to AFP calculations.In 2012, the economy shrank by 6.4 percent.Data before adjustment for seasonal blips, "indicate that, in the 4th quarter of 2013, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in volume terms, decreased by 2.6 percent in comparison with the 4th quarter of 2012," the Hellenic statistical authority said.These figures constitute a welcome boost to the embattled coalition government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who is at pains to show that four years of gruelling austerity are now bearing fruit.The government faces a tough local elections challenge in May, with anti-austerity parties poised to gain heavily from widespread anger over the six-year recession and soaring unemployment gripping the country.
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