ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek deputies have begun voting in a crucial confidence motion called by Prime Minister George Papandreou after he reshuffled his cabinet to face down an internal party revolt and help him pass deeply unpopular austerity measures.
The vote is being conducted by roll call after a heated debate which saw sections of the opposition briefly walk out. Papandreou needs 151 votes in the 300-member parliament to win, which he is expected to do.
A loss would likely lead to early elections and throw into question whether Greece can pass a new austerity bill by the end of June as demanded by the country’s international creditors. Unless the new measures pass, Greece will not receive the next batch of funds from its bailout loans, and will face a disastrous default.
