Greek parliament backs government's bailout reform plan Saturday July 11,2015

 

Greece's parliament backed the government's reform plan containing austerity measures to win a third bailout early on Saturday, but with the government suffering significant losses from dissenting lawmakers.

The motion, which sought to authorise the government to use the proposal as a basis for negotiation with international creditors during the weekend, passed with 251 votes in favour, 32 against and 8 voting 'present'-a form of abstention- in the 300-member parliament.

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras is asking creditors for €53.5bn ($59.47bn) to cover Greece's debts until 2018. It would be the debt-strapped country's third bailout.

After winning cross-party support in a late-night vote, PM Alexis Tsipras said he had a "strong mandate" to complete negotiations with Greece's creditors.
However, some of his own MPs withheld their support in protest at austerity measures contained in the new package.
Among the members of Mr Tsipras's own Syriza party who abstained were Speaker Zoe Constantopoulou and Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis