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Greece debt crisis: Greek PM defends 'harsh' deal | Greece debt crisis: Greek PM defends 'harsh' deal |
(35 minutes later) | |
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has says he does not believe in a bailout offered by eurozone leaders - but is willing to implement it. | Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has says he does not believe in a bailout offered by eurozone leaders - but is willing to implement it. |
Mr Tsipras described the deal as "harsh", but said it was the only way for Greece to remain in the euro. | Mr Tsipras described the deal as "harsh", but said it was the only way for Greece to remain in the euro. |
The conditional plan depends on austerity measures being passed through parliament, where Mr Tsipras faces resistance among his own MPs. | The conditional plan depends on austerity measures being passed through parliament, where Mr Tsipras faces resistance among his own MPs. |
Despite the growing dissent at home he said he has no plans to resign. | |
Defending the deal, he said: "I assume responsibility for all mistakes I may have made, I assume responsibility for a text I do not believe in, but which I signed to avoid disaster for the country, the collapse of the banks." | |
He said he had battled not to cut wages and pensions, arguing the terms agreed were milder than those in previous deals. | |
But he also attacked Greece's creditors, saying "they wanted to take revenge". | |
The interview comes on the eve of the vote in Greece's parliament. The measures, including pensions and VAT reforms, must be passed by Wednesday. | |
Mr Tsipras may need the help of opposition parties, with a number of Syriza MPs likely to rebel and the junior coalition party, the Independent Greeks, offering only limited support. |