ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek lawmakers have begun voting on new austerity measures as riot police clash with protesters outside the Parliament building.
The bill needs a simple majority to pass and Prime Minister George Papandreou appears to have enough votes even though one of his deputies said he would not be backing the package.
A no vote would push Greece to the brink of default as soon as next month with potentially huge repercussions for Europe’s banking sector and global markets.
As deputies debated inside Parliament, riot police fired volleys of tear gas to push back protesters, who were pelting police with bottles and trash and overturning barriers.
