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Greece crisis: Tsipras takes on Syriza critics before vote Greece crisis: MPs to vote on crucial reforms
(about 5 hours later)
Greece's prime minister has taken on critics in his Syriza party ahead of another crucial vote on reforms. Greek MPs are debating a second set of reforms they need to approve to secure a €86bn bailout, as thousands protest against further austerity measures.
Alexis Tsipras attacked rebel MPs who opposed an agreement with creditors, accusing them of "hiding behind the safety of my signature". The protest outside parliament briefly turned violent, with petrol bombs and stones thrown at police.
MPs need to back the reforms for talks to start on a new €86bn bailout. Earlier, Greece's PM urged rebels within his own Syriza party to support the reforms demanded by creditors.
The European Central Bank (ECB) is said to have increased its cash lifeline to Greek banks by €900m (£630m) just hours before the vote. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank (ECB) has increased its cash lifeline to Greek banks.
The emergency injection of an extra €900m (£630m), the ECB's second in a week, came just hours before the vote.
It is needed until Greece secures its third international bailout - the negotiations of which cannot begin until Greece's parliament has approved the tough new reforms.
The protest in Athens' Syntagma Square - called by Greece's public sector union - was reported to have been largely peaceful, until a number of petrol bombs were thrown in the direction of police.
The BBC's Piers Schofield, tweeted from the scene that a small number of anarchists - no more than a few dozen - attempted to create a disturbance but the situation soon calmed down.
Inside parliament, PM Alexis Tsipras turned up the heat on members of his own party who had voted against last week's reforms, accusing them of "hiding behind the safety of my signature".
The proposed reforms are expected to get parliamentary approval with the support of opposition parties, but Mr Tsipras hopes to avoid a rebellion from within the ranks of Syriza.The proposed reforms are expected to get parliamentary approval with the support of opposition parties, but Mr Tsipras hopes to avoid a rebellion from within the ranks of Syriza.
Some 32 of the radical-left party's 149 MPs - including former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis - voted against the first tranche of bailout measures last week. Another six abstained.Some 32 of the radical-left party's 149 MPs - including former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis - voted against the first tranche of bailout measures last week. Another six abstained.
The rebellion reduced Mr Tsipras's support within his own ruling coalition to 123 MPs, barely more than the minimum 120 required to sustain a minority government.The rebellion reduced Mr Tsipras's support within his own ruling coalition to 123 MPs, barely more than the minimum 120 required to sustain a minority government.
He said the Greek people had "pinned their hopes" on the government's ability to find a solution to the debt crisis, addressing Syriza MPs on Tuesday night.He said the Greek people had "pinned their hopes" on the government's ability to find a solution to the debt crisis, addressing Syriza MPs on Tuesday night.
Defining moment for Tsipras - by Chris Morris, BBC News, AthensDefining moment for Tsipras - by Chris Morris, BBC News, Athens
For a man who was forced into a fairly abrupt U-turn, Alexis Tsipras remains extraordinarily popular.For a man who was forced into a fairly abrupt U-turn, Alexis Tsipras remains extraordinarily popular.
If he calls an early election in the coming months - and that still feels like the most likely option - it would be a huge surprise if he didn't win comfortably and emerge stronger.If he calls an early election in the coming months - and that still feels like the most likely option - it would be a huge surprise if he didn't win comfortably and emerge stronger.
That's partly because the opposition is in disarray. But also because many Greeks like the fact that he appeared to stand up for national pride.That's partly because the opposition is in disarray. But also because many Greeks like the fact that he appeared to stand up for national pride.
For the moment Mr Tsipras is trying to put pressure on dissenters within his own party. He had heard plenty of heroic speeches, the prime minister said, but not seen any alternative proposals.For the moment Mr Tsipras is trying to put pressure on dissenters within his own party. He had heard plenty of heroic speeches, the prime minister said, but not seen any alternative proposals.
It's partly a reminder that he could move to exclude those who are disloyal if another election is just around the corner.It's partly a reminder that he could move to exclude those who are disloyal if another election is just around the corner.
But he has to get the bailout approved first - and that's not yet a done deal.But he has to get the bailout approved first - and that's not yet a done deal.
Battle over eurozone's futureBattle over eurozone's future
Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said it was "extremely important" for the vote on financial and judicial reforms to pass so that talks on the bailout could begin on Friday.Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said it was "extremely important" for the vote on financial and judicial reforms to pass so that talks on the bailout could begin on Friday.
Last week's vote was on the austerity measures imposed by Greece's creditors - a mix of economic reforms and budget cuts demanded by the eurozone countries and institutions before bailout talks could continue.Last week's vote was on the austerity measures imposed by Greece's creditors - a mix of economic reforms and budget cuts demanded by the eurozone countries and institutions before bailout talks could continue.
The measures due to be presented to parliament on Wednesday are of a more structural nature, including:The measures due to be presented to parliament on Wednesday are of a more structural nature, including:
More contentious measures - phasing out early retirement and tax rises for farmers - have been pushed back to August.More contentious measures - phasing out early retirement and tax rises for farmers - have been pushed back to August.
Greece's public sector union has called for a protest during the emergency debate in parliament on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the ECB has reportedly offered more help to Greece's struggling banks through Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA).
Asked if the threat of a Greek exit from the euro - or Grexit - had passed, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Tuesday: "I think we've made a big step in that direction."Asked if the threat of a Greek exit from the euro - or Grexit - had passed, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said on Tuesday: "I think we've made a big step in that direction."
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed on Monday that Greece had cleared its overdue debt repayments of €2.05bn and was no longer in arrears.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed on Monday that Greece had cleared its overdue debt repayments of €2.05bn and was no longer in arrears.
The repayments, which included €4.2bn to the ECB, were made possible by a short-term EU loan of €7.16bn.The repayments, which included €4.2bn to the ECB, were made possible by a short-term EU loan of €7.16bn.
Greece's next major deadline is 20 August, when it must pay €3.2bn owed to the ECB, followed by a payment of €1.5bn to the IMF in September.Greece's next major deadline is 20 August, when it must pay €3.2bn owed to the ECB, followed by a payment of €1.5bn to the IMF in September.
The Greek government received a small boost on Tuesday when credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's raised the country's rating by two notches to CCC+ from CCC-.The Greek government received a small boost on Tuesday when credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's raised the country's rating by two notches to CCC+ from CCC-.
On Monday, Greek banks reopened after being closed for three weeks but many restrictions remain and Greeks are facing price rises after an increase in VAT.On Monday, Greek banks reopened after being closed for three weeks but many restrictions remain and Greeks are facing price rises after an increase in VAT.
Are you in Greece? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in Greece? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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