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Greek MPs pass austerity bill as Athens police clash with protesters Greek MPs pass austerity bill as Athens police clash with protesters
(35 minutes later)
A draconian austerity bill designed to pave the way for a new bailout of Greece has been passed in the Athens parliament against the backdrop of deep splits in the ruling Syriza party and the most serious violence on the city’s streets for months.A draconian austerity bill designed to pave the way for a new bailout of Greece has been passed in the Athens parliament against the backdrop of deep splits in the ruling Syriza party and the most serious violence on the city’s streets for months.
Related: Greek crisis: MPs approve bailout measures, after clashes in Athens - live
Teargas filled the air outside the parliament as the debate took place with riot police clashing with anarchists and demonstrations against the bailout deal were joined by members of Syriza’s own base.Teargas filled the air outside the parliament as the debate took place with riot police clashing with anarchists and demonstrations against the bailout deal were joined by members of Syriza’s own base.
Greece’s prime minister and Syriza’s leader, Alexis Tsipras, has been under pressure from other eurozone states to ensure that the raft of tax rises and spending cuts was passed.Greece’s prime minister and Syriza’s leader, Alexis Tsipras, has been under pressure from other eurozone states to ensure that the raft of tax rises and spending cuts was passed.
As expected, it was backed by pro-European opposition parties, including the former ruling party New Democracy, as well as the Syriza’s coalition partners, the right wing Independent Greeks. But it was rejected en masse by MPs from the ‘Left Platform’ grouping inside Syriza, signalling major challenges for the Tsipras leadership.As expected, it was backed by pro-European opposition parties, including the former ruling party New Democracy, as well as the Syriza’s coalition partners, the right wing Independent Greeks. But it was rejected en masse by MPs from the ‘Left Platform’ grouping inside Syriza, signalling major challenges for the Tsipras leadership.
Among other Syriza MPs who rejected it was Yanis Varoufakis, the economist who resigned as Greece’s finance minister in advance of last week’s bailout talks.Among other Syriza MPs who rejected it was Yanis Varoufakis, the economist who resigned as Greece’s finance minister in advance of last week’s bailout talks.
Tsipras rose in parliament shortly before 1am (Athens time) to defend the agreement which was reached last week in Brussels, saying that that he and others had fought hard and he was proud of what they did. He took responsibility for “missed opportunities”.Tsipras rose in parliament shortly before 1am (Athens time) to defend the agreement which was reached last week in Brussels, saying that that he and others had fought hard and he was proud of what they did. He took responsibility for “missed opportunities”.
There had a been an “unfair fight” in which the Greek government had face financial powers, he said, but, to applause, he added that it would one day bear fruit.There had a been an “unfair fight” in which the Greek government had face financial powers, he said, but, to applause, he added that it would one day bear fruit.
“I had a choice between a deal I did not agree with, or a disorderly default, or Schauble’s choice of euro exit,” said Tsipras, who was given a standing ovation by a large number of Syriza MPs.“I had a choice between a deal I did not agree with, or a disorderly default, or Schauble’s choice of euro exit,” said Tsipras, who was given a standing ovation by a large number of Syriza MPs.
Constantopoulou also criticised the way in which she said that MPs were forced to vote through the measures so quickly.Constantopoulou also criticised the way in which she said that MPs were forced to vote through the measures so quickly.
The bill was backed by Syriza’s coalition partners, the right-wing Independent Greeks party. Its leader, Panos Kammenos said that he and his colleagues were backing the agreement against their conscience, adding: “If this government falls tonight there will be no hope for Greece or Europe.”The bill was backed by Syriza’s coalition partners, the right-wing Independent Greeks party. Its leader, Panos Kammenos said that he and his colleagues were backing the agreement against their conscience, adding: “If this government falls tonight there will be no hope for Greece or Europe.”
The leader of New Democracy, Vangelis Meimarakis, told Tsipras that he had wasted an opportunity to reach a better deal, by messing up the negotiations. New Democracy would still vote unconditionally for the deal, he added, telling parliament that a bad agreement was better than no agreement.The leader of New Democracy, Vangelis Meimarakis, told Tsipras that he had wasted an opportunity to reach a better deal, by messing up the negotiations. New Democracy would still vote unconditionally for the deal, he added, telling parliament that a bad agreement was better than no agreement.