Thousands protest but MPs agree second batch of Greece bailout reforms

Thousands of anti-austerity protesters gathered in Athens last night as MPs agreed a second batch of reforms which will help Greece to unlock a huge international bailout. The protests briefly turning violent as petrol bombs were thrown at police. There had been fears of a major rebellion by MPs but prime minister Alexis Tsipras was easily able to muster the support required. The measures received 230 votes in favour and 63 against with 31 members of his own Syriza party voting against. It was a far less severe rebellion than last week when Mr Tsipras had to rely on opposition MPs to pass laws approving sweeping changes to taxes, pensions and labour rules – key conditions for opening talks on a bailout worth up to €86bn euros over three years.

We are making an effort to have fewer dissenters.

Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumplis told Greek TV

Analysts said the debate would show whether the premier could avoid another deep split within his own party and head off the risk of early elections after only six months in power. Katerina and George Sergidou Kokkinavis, two Syriza members in their 30s taking part in the protests, said they had come because “the government is no longer listening to the people”. Syriza came to power on an anti-austerity ticket, but the government has gone on to ignore a referendum result in which Greeks came out against further cuts, and agreed to a deal that involves more painful reforms, hoping it will prevent the country from crashing out of the eurozone. Yesterday, the European Central Bank 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.