Greek parliament passes key austerity bill amid riots

Greek parliament passes key austerity bill amid riots

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Greece's lawmakers approved a key austerity bill Wednesday needed to avert default.

29 June,2011 07:34 pm

The bill was passed despite a second day of rioting on the streets of Athens that left dozens of police and protesters injured.The bill to cut spending and raise taxes by €28 billion ($40 billion) over five years has provoked widespread outrage, coming after a year of deep cuts that have seen public sector salaries and pensions cut and unemployment rise to above 16 percent.While deputies voted, stun grenades echoed across the square outside the Parliament building and acrid clouds of tear gas hung in the streets. Authorities and emergency services said 21 police and 15 protesters were injured and transferred to hospitals, while 26 people were detained.The unpopular package of spending cuts and tax hikes passed by 155 votes to 138, with five opposition deputies voted present a vote which backs neither side.