Greek lawmakers vote for austerity as protests turn ugly

GREECE   –  Buffeted once again by protests on the streets outside, Greece’s parliament has voted by a razor thin margin to cut pensions and increase taxes ahead of a crucial meeting in Brussels yesterday.

At the meeting, Eurozone finance ministers will again debate whether to provide financial support to the beleaguered country. Late Sunday evening, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ coalition passed pension and tax reforms, which cover the majority of a €5.4 billion ($6.15B) package of austerity measures requested by creditors. A slim majority of lawmakers, 153 of 296, voted in favor of the bill. The vote session was an effort to convince Eurozone finance ministers that Greece is serious about financial reform a necessary condition for a further rescue package and, crucially Greek debt relief from the Eurozone. (CNN.COM)…[+]