In passing the bill, by 229 votes to 64, Greek MPs took the first step required to begin negotiations on a new bailout package worth 85 billion euros (£60bn).
Advertisement
European finance ministers held a conference call on Thursday morning to agree on a plan for the 7 billion euros in bridging funds to enable Greece to meet its immediate debt service needs and avoid defaulting on a repayment to the ECB next Monday.
Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has voted against the government in a critical austerity bill vote.
The vote sparked a revolt by some members of Tsipras’ own party, as well as protests on the street by Greek citizens who say the nation is already overburdened by cost-cutting measures.
The source quoted Tsipras as saying on Thursday that support of the left-wing government is weak but the prime minister is set on continuing working with it until Athens concludes a deal on a third bailout with the Brussels Group.
After a day of strikes and protests in Athens, Greek lawmakers approved a set of unpopular austerity measures insisted upon by the country’s creditors.
Greece’s alternate Finance Minister Nadia Valavani said she would not vote in favor of the bill and resigned from her government seat.
The parliamentary spokesman of SYRIZA Nikos Filis accused eurozone officials of attempting a “coup” and overthrow of the Greek government.
Police said about 50 people had been detained during the hour-long clashes that involved youths hurling rocks and petrol bombs outside parliament, and riot police responding with tear gas and baton charges. “So if he has any dignity left he has to resign”, said 28-year-old Andronicus Sarlakis.
However, the outcome is expected to significantly weaken Tsipras as his ruling Syriza-dominated two-party coalition will struggle to enforce the pension cuts and Value-Added Tax increases outlined in the deal or implement any other legislation outside.
But he argued that the deal prevented a financial collapse and will allow his country to stay in the euro zone.
Advertisement
Tsipras is calling the new austerity measures “irrational”, and he acknowledged they are at odds with his election pledge just months ago calling for an end to austerity in Greece. European Union countries are awaited to approve the loan on Friday.
