02:25Greece: Tsipras tells MPs he is 'proud' of Greek struggle ahead of austerity vote
"I am proud of this struggle", said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras whilst addressing parliament in Athens, Thursday, ahead of the crucial vote on whether to approve tough economic reforms demanded by Greece's creditors in exchange for a third bailout package worth €86 billion ($95 billion). Discussing the Greek debt negotiations further, Tsipras said that "we fought an unequal and difficult battle" against "powerful opponents, against the international financial system".
Tsipras went on to say that his government "will try with every means possible to protect the social majority from the consequences of economic measures" and made clear that he still doesn't believe in the measures but felt "forced to implement them because this is the European framework today".
Tsipras' statements came during a lengthy debate ahead of the vote, in which several MPs voiced their opinions about the bailout reforms. During the debate, anti-austerity protesters clashed with police on Syntagma Square in front of the Greek parliament. Demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who responded by firing tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
Following Tsipras' address, the Greek parliament approved the economic reforms demanded by the country's creditors, paving the way for a new bailout package, provided that it is agreed to by all respective European partners.
02:25"I am proud of this struggle", said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras whilst addressing parliament in Athens, Thursday, ahead of the crucial vote on whether to approve tough economic reforms demanded by Greece's creditors in exchange for a third bailout package worth €86 billion ($95 billion). Discussing the Greek debt negotiations further, Tsipras said that "we fought an unequal and difficult battle" against "powerful opponents, against the international financial system".
Tsipras went on to say that his government "will try with every means possible to protect the social majority from the consequences of economic measures" and made clear that he still doesn't believe in the measures but felt "forced to implement them because this is the European framework today".
Tsipras' statements came during a lengthy debate ahead of the vote, in which several MPs voiced their opinions about the bailout reforms. During the debate, anti-austerity protesters clashed with police on Syntagma Square in front of the Greek parliament. Demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who responded by firing tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
Following Tsipras' address, the Greek parliament approved the economic reforms demanded by the country's creditors, paving the way for a new bailout package, provided that it is agreed to by all respective European partners.