Greek parliament passes debt-relief bill amid riots
By The Associated Press
This article was published February 12, 2012 at 2:41 p.m.
PHOTO BY THANASSIS STAVRAKIS / AP
A branch of Eurobank burns during clashes in Athens, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. Protesters and police fought in central Athens Sunday, as Greek lawmakers debated legislation that would introduce severe austerity measures to stave off bankruptcy.
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ATHENS, Greece — Greece's Parliament passed an austerity and debt-relief bill on Monday as rioters in Athens looted shops and set buildings on fire.
The austerity bill was supported by 199 of the 300 members of Parliament, while the coalition government expelled 43 deputies over dissent in the crucial debt vote, reducing their majority from 236 to 193.
The government must now persuade its international lenders, the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund that it has the will to implement the spending cuts and public-sector reforms required to release $171 billion in emergency loans.
Thick clouds of smoke and tear gas filled the air around Parliament as the voting took place. Demonstrators torched more than 20 buildings, including apartments, shops, banks, cafes, two cinemas and a museum.
Police clashed with more than 2,000 anarchists carrying clubs and gasoline bombs on dozens of fronts across the city.
More than 80 people, including 30 police officers, were reported injured and 25 arrests were made, police said.
Comments on: Greek parliament passes debt-relief bill amid riots
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arkateacher54_aol.com says... February 13, 2012 at 1:35 a.m.
Coming to a street corner near you...
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ToGQ4U says... February 13, 2012 at 1:45 a.m.
Yep!
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