Greek MPs pass austerity plan amid violent protests
Greece’s parliament has passed a controversial package of austerity measures, demanded by the eurozone and IMF in return for a 130bn-euro ($170bn; £110bn) bailout to avoid default.
Coalition parties expelled over 40 deputies for failing to back the bill.
The vote came amid some of the worst violence seen in Greece in years.
Protesters outside parliament threw stones and petrol bombs, and police fired tear gas. Several people were injured and buildings were set on fire.
PM Lucas Papademos urged calm, saying violence had no place in a democracy.
Lawmakers have also approved a related deal to write off 100bn euros of Greek debt held by private banks.
Despite a rebellion by some MPs from parties in the ruling coalition, the result was expected, reports the BBC’s Mark Lowen in Athens.
Pasok, the largest party, and its coalition ally New Democracy – which have both backed the bill – account for more than 230 deputies out of a total of 300.
