THE GREEK PARLIAMENT has voted to pass austerity measures of some €28 billion in order to receive the next tranche of its EU/IMF bailout and progress on talks of further financial aid.
The five-year austerity plan was passed by 155-138 votes in the Greek parliament this afternoon with the one MP from Prime Minister George Papandreou’s Socialists who voted against the measures thrown out of the party immediately.
A conservative deputy broke ranks with her party’s line to also vote in favor, bolstering the government’s majority of five seats in the 300-member parliament.
The proposed tax hikes and spending cuts have been deeply unpopular amongst the Greek public with a nationwide 48-hour strike underway and violent clashes taking place on the streets of Athens.
As the announcement came through, the crowds who had gathered in Syntagma Square booed and there were further clashes with riot police.
BBC News reports that former finance minister Stefanos Manos said the vote would “keep Greece afloat”.
Another bill detailing the measures to implement the austerity plans goes for a vote before the parliament tomorrow.
The European Union and International Monetary Fund have demanded both bills pass before they approve the release of a €12 billion loan installment from last year’s rescue package of €110 billion.
- additional reporting from AP
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