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German Parliament Agree On Third Greek Bailout

Schaeuble told lawmakers that approval of the three-year loan package is “in the interest of Greece and the interest of Europe”.

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The deal was the first privatization to be concluded under the new third bailout that was ratified by the Greek parliament last Friday.

“The problem isn΄t a lack of European solidarity but a lack of Greek efficiency”, said conservative rebel Wolfgang Bosbach.

The measure is expected to be approved due to the support of her Social Democrat coalition partners, but observers believe the rebellion could represent a strong hint of further troubles ahead for the chancellor.

Meanwhile, the debate in the Dutch parliament, which is set to vote on the issue later Wednesday, turned acrimonious, when populist right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders spoke out against “the European junkie called Greece“, Reuters reported.

The new bailout package will allow Athens to make its debt repayments but comes with tough terms and onerous austerity measures.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, is to make the case for approving the bailout in remarks to lawmakers Wednesday.

He also said that the participation of the worldwide Monetary Fund (IMF) for the third bailout was essential.

Other parties such as D66, have defended the Bailout deal, pointing at Germany as an example of trust in the Greek government.

BRUSSELS, August 18 (Xinhua) – The (EU) on Tuesday dismissed reports which warn Greece’s financing need will exceed 86 billion euros, the overall sum the country will receive under an fund in its fresh bailout plan, saying de facto figure even could be much less.

The German approval is among the last that Greece’s bailout needs across Europe.

“If Greece sticks to the agreement and if the (bailout) program gets implemented decisively and full, then the Greek economy can grow again over the next years“.

Popular misgivings about sending more aid to Athens run deep in Germany, the euro zone country which has already contributed most to Greece’s two previous bailouts since 2010.

The results of the vote are expected at around 1200 local time (1000 GMT).

“There are serious risks, such as execution risks, given the Greek political situation”, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos told parliament in a special session on the deal Greece reached with its creditors, seen as helping it stay in the euro zone. In total 63 of Ms Merkel’s 311 strong conservative group voted against and a further three abstained.

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With Syriza’s left wing showing little sign of returning to the party fold, Skourletis also raised the possibility of early elections should Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras lose a confidence motion.

The normally hardline Wolfgang Schaeuble has publicly thrown his weight behind the deal