The Greek parliament has approved tough new austerity measures as part of a new bailout deal.
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Of the 149 Syriza lawmakers, six abstained from the vote held on Wednesday night, while one person did not show up at all.
Energy Minister for the Greek government has openly criticised the bailout deal and believes it is against the promises made by his party during the elections.
The Greek bill was the first step in meeting requirements for negotiations to start on a desperately needed third worldwide bailout for Greece – a three-year 85 billion euros ($93 billion) package – that will prevent it from crashing out of Europe’s common currency.
The Greek parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pass austerity measures demanded by worldwide creditors, paving the way for a multi-billion pound rescue of the country from financial ruin.
The vote took place against a backdrop of strikes by public servants and demonstrations outside the parliament in Syntagma square with anarchists throwing petrol bombs and riot police retaliating with tear gas.
Current Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said during Wednesday’s parliamentary debate that his decision to back the bailout terms was something that “will burden me my whole life”.
With banks closed and the economy on the verge of collapse, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had urged the adoption of the measures, saying that while it was a hard deal the creditors were offering, it was the only one available and would avert a humanitarian and fiscal disaster.
The European Commission formally proposed a short-term $7.6 billion loan for Greece while the deal and its reforms are being ratified, as banks may not open for months otherwise.
It was the first significant violence since the left-wing Syriza government came to power in January promising to repeal bailout austerity.
But for Greece to secure funds, the agreement must still go before the domestic parliaments of some of the other 19 members of the Eurozone, with all eyes in particular on EU powerhouse Germany, which is set to vote on Friday.
All countries refused to extend bilateral loans to Greece and Britain objected to the money coming from the European Financial Stability Facility to which all 28 member states contribute.
“I do not know if we did the right thing. We support him, we support the government, and even those of us who voted “No” support the effort to exit the crisis”, he said.
“It would maybe be the better path for Greece”, he said to German radio.
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“Despite the defection of about a quarter of his own MPs – and with a lot of help from the Opposition – Alexis Tsipras won the most crucial parliament vote since becoming prime minister”.
